Risk factors

Men, especially those over 50, are more likely to have bladder stones.

Conditions that can raise the risk of bladder stones include:

• An obstruction. Any condition that blocks the flow of urine from your bladder to the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of your body — can lead to bladder stone formation. There are a number of causes, but the most common is an enlarged prostate.
• Nerve damage. Stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, a herniated disk and a number of other problems can damage nerves that control bladder function.

It's possible to have nerve damage and a condition that causes bladder outlet obstruction. Having these together further increases the risk of stones.