Prostate stones

Prostate stones are small calcium deposits that can build up in a man’s prostatic gland, particularly from middle-age onwards. Some men just have one stone, while others have several.

Prostate stones are typically between half a millimeter and five millimeters in size, so comparable to poppy seeds or millet seeds.

They should not be confused with kidney stones, which occur in the kidneys, ureter or bladder, for example.

Prostate stones are usually harmless and are only discovered by chance, for example during an ultrasound scan. However, they can sometimes cause problems.

In some men, prostate stones cause problems such as

• urinary urgency, especially during the night
• difficulties urinating
• pain in the pelvis, lower back, penis or perineum area between the scrotum and the anus

Prostate stones can be colonized by bacteria and they are then believed to help cause chronic inflammations of the prostate (chronic prostatitis) and urinary tract infections.

It is unclear whether prostate stones also help cause erection problems or pain when ejaculating. To date there is no evidence of this link.

Prostate stones are often made up of calcium phosphate, which also occurs in the bones and teeth.

Prostate stones seem to be favored by normal aging processes. But how the stones form is as yet unclear. There are two theories: firstly, deposits might form in the secretion of the prostate gland which then calcify due to inflammations. Secondly, a urine blockage in the prostatic gland might also help the stones form.

Prostate stones occur in many men, mainly from the age of 50 onwards. However, there are no precise figures as to how common they actually are.

They are often found in men whose prostate is being examined, for example, due to a benign prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or a chronic prostate inflammation. The precise connection between these conditions and the prostate stones, however, has not yet been fully explained. Calcification in the prostatic gland is also often found in men with prostate cancer.

Prostate stones are usually only discovered by accident, for example as a result of urological testing when an abnormal prostate change is suspected. For instance the stones are easy to detect with an ultrasound probe inserted into the anus (transrectal ultrasound). The stones are also made visible by a computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis or an X-ray of the kidneys and urinary tract.

In most cases, no treatment is needed for prostate stones. The body sometimes just flushes them out with the urine. However, targeted treatment is available if they cause discomfort.

If there is a bacterial infection doctors administer antibiotics. In cases of chronic inflammation or larger prostate stones, the deposits can be removed via the urethra using a fine surgical instrument (endoscope) inserted from outside. In the process, prostate tissue is also removed if the prostate is enlarged. This procedure is called a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).