Treatment of ureteral stones in men

Treatments for male ureteral stones include medication, non-surgical treatment, and surgical treatment. The most appropriate treatment is selected based on the size, location, and severity of the symptoms. Small stones can be expelled through medication and lifestyle adjustments, while large stones may require surgery.

1) Drug treatment

For smaller stones (less than 5mm in diameter), medications can be used to assist in stone excretion. Common medications include:

-Alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin, help relax the smooth muscle of the ureters and facilitate the passage of stones.

-Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, to relieve the severe pain that may occur during stone passage.

- Litholytic drugs, such as potassium citrate, which alkalinizes the urine, can dissolve oxalate stones and reduce stone formation.

Drinking plenty of water during treatment (at least 2L of water per day) can help increase urine flow and speed up the excretion of small stones.

2) Non-surgical intervention

For medium-sized stones (5-10 mm in diameter), nonsurgical treatment may be needed:

- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): This procedure uses high-frequency waves to break up stones, which are then excreted in the urine. It is suitable for stones smaller than 2 cm in diameter. This procedure is less damaging to the body, but may require multiple procedures.

-Ureteroscopic lithotripsy: An endoscope is inserted through the urethra to directly locate and remove stones. It is suitable for stones stuck in the middle or lower ureter.

3) Surgical treatment

For larger stones (greater than 10 mm in diameter) or complex cases, surgery should be chosen:

- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): An opening is made at the waist to remove stones located in the proximal ureter or kidney through an endoscope. It is suitable for large stones or multiple stones.

-Ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy: Laser is used to directly break up the stones and then remove them. It is often used for stones in the middle and lower ureter.

-Open surgery: Only used in special cases, such as when the stone is too large and causes obstruction or infection.

Lifestyle adjustments are also important. Reducing the intake of high-oxalate foods (such as spinach and chocolate), controlling animal protein intake (to avoid the formation of uric acid stones), and increasing water intake are the key to prevention and auxiliary treatment.

If male ureteral stones cause pain, hematuria or urinary tract obstruction, you should seek medical attention immediately and follow the doctor's advice to choose the treatment method. Through medication, mechanical treatment and improvement of lifestyle habits, most stone patients can recover. Remember that drinking more water and eating less high-salt and high-purine foods are the key to prevention. At the same time, regular check-ups can help detect early problems and intervene in time.