Last updated: February 27, 2026
Medically reviewed by: NKF Patient Education Team
Contributions by: Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND, Founder & CEO, The Kidney Dietitian
Struvite kidney stones are a type of kidney stone that usually form from urinary tract infections (UTIs). Unlike some other stone types that form from metabolic issues, these stones are caused by certain bacteria.
Table of Contents
- About struvite kidney stones
- Risk factors for struvite kidney stones
- Symptoms of struvite kidney stones
- How struvite kidney stones are diagnosed
- Treatment for struvite kidney stones
- How to prevent struvite kidney stones
- Making sure treatment is working
- Risk of struvite kidney stones coming back
- Living with recurrent infections
- When to see a doctor
- Key Points
- Questions to ask your healthcare team
- Additional Resources:
About struvite kidney stones
Struvite kidney stones are often called infection stones because they usually form after a urinary tract infection, also called a UTI. UTIs happen more often in women, so struvite stones are also more common in women.
Struvite stones are not very common. Only about 2 out of every 100 kidney stones are struvite stones. Most kidney stones are made from calcium.
Struvite stones are made from a mix of minerals in the urine, including magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate. These are natural substances found in the body. When they stick together, they can form a hard stone.These stones form when certain bacteria are in the urinary tract. These bacteria change the urine and make it less acidic. When urine is less acidic, struvite stones are more likely to form.
Struvite stones can grow very fast and become very large. As the stone gets bigger, more bacteria can stick to it. This can cause the stone to keep growing. In some people, the stone can grow so large that it fills much of the kidney. This is called a staghorn stone because it looks like the shape of deer antlers.
If struvite stones are not treated, they can cause serious problems. Large stones can block the flow of urine and damage the kidneys. Because of this, struvite stones usually need medical treatment.
Risk factors for struvite kidney stones
Struvite stones are much less common than calcium or uric acid kidney stones. They are more likely to happen in people who:
- Have urinary tract infections, especially infections that keep coming back or are not treated
- Are women, because urinary tract infections are more common in women
- Have problems with urine not draining fully from the bladder, such as from long term catheter use or changes in the shape of the urinary tract.
Symptoms of struvite kidney stones
Symptoms of struvite kidney stones can be similar to other types of kidney stones and may be mild at first. Some people do not have symptoms until the stone becomes large.
Common symptoms may include:
- Sharp pain in your back or side
- Pain or blood when you pee
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Cloudy or bad smelling urine
These symptoms can be a sign of both a kidney stone and a urinary tract infection, and you should contact your doctor if you notice them.
How struvite kidney stones are diagnosed
Your doctor may also check how acidic your urine is, since struvite stones form in urine that is less acidic
- Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, are used to look at your kidneys and see if stones are present. These tests also help show the size and location of the stone.
- Urine tests are used to look for signs of infection and bacteria in your urine. Your doctor may also check how acidic your urine is, since struvite stones form in less acidic urine.
- Blood tests may be done to check kidney function and look for signs of infection.
Together, these tests help your doctor confirm the diagnosis and choose the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment for struvite kidney stones
Because struvite kidney stones are directly caused by infection, the treatment for struvite kidney stones should focus on treating the infection, as well as getting rid of the kidney stone.
Struvite stones tend to be large and grow faster than other types of kidney stones. Usually, surgery is necessary to get rid of struvite stones. The type of surgery depends on the size and location of the kidney stone as well as the shape of your urinary tract.
How to prevent struvite kidney stones
The best way to prevent struvite kidney stones is to treat urinary tract infections and help prevent them from coming back.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection that causes these stones to form. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe a medicine called acetohydroxamic acid, or AHA. This medicine helps stop bacteria from making ammonia, which can slow or stop the growth of struvite stones.
Drinking enough water is also important. Water helps lower the risk of urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
Unlike other types of kidney stones, struvite kidney stones are usually not caused by food choices. It is also important to take all antibiotics exactly as prescribed, even if you start to feel better, to help fully clear the infection and prevent stones from coming back.
Making sure treatment is working
After treatment, your doctor will want to make sure the infection is gone and that new stones are not forming. You may have imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to check your kidneys for stones. You may also have urine tests to make sure the infection has cleared.
Follow-up care is very important with struvite kidney stones. Even small amounts of bacteria can cause stones to form again. Regular checkups help your doctor find problems early and prevent new stones.
Risk of struvite kidney stones coming back
Struvite kidney stones can come back if the infection that caused them is not fully treated.
Even small amounts of bacteria left in the urinary tract can lead to new stones forming. This is why follow-up care after treatment is so important.
Regular urine tests and imaging help your doctor make sure the infection is gone and that new stones are not forming. Treating urinary tract infections quickly and completely helps lower the risk of struvite stones coming back.
Living with recurrent infections
Some people get urinary tract infections over and over again. When infections keep coming back, the risk of struvite kidney stones is higher.
If you have recurrent infections, your doctor may work with you on a long-term plan. This may include regular urine tests, medicines to prevent infection, or steps to help your bladder empty fully.
Tell your doctor if you notice early signs of infection, such as burning when you pee, cloudy or bad smelling urine, or fever. Treating infections early can help protect your kidneys and lower the risk of new stones.
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, such as pain when you pee, cloudy or bad smelling urine, fever, or back pain. You should also see a doctor if you have kidney stone symptoms, such as severe pain in your side or back, blood in your urine, nausea, or vomiting. If you have had struvite kidney stones before, regular follow-up visits are important. Your doctor may check your urine and do imaging tests to make sure infection and stones do not come back.
Key Points
- Struvite kidney stones are related to infections, usually urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Struvite stones tend to be big and grow quickly. Treating them quickly is important to prevent kidney damage.
- The prevention of struvite kidney stones focuses on treating and preventing more infections.
