3 Ways to Tell If Your Kidney Stone Passed

Wondering if your kidney stone is finally gone? This blog breaks down the three most common ways to know if your kidney stone has passed—whether you’re dealing with a full stone, gravel, or sand. From the physical sensations to visual signs, I’ll walk you through what to look for and why capturing your stone is crucial for preventing future ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Passing a full stone brings a distinct sensation and visual confirmation

• Gravel and sand mean your stone is breaking up

• Post-passage soreness is normal and hydration aids recovery

• Always analyze your stone for better prevention

 When people ask me how to know if they've passed a kidney stone, I always come back to three distinct ways. Over the years, I've helped countless people through this, and whether you're a first-timer or you've had stones before, understanding these signs gives you peace of mind and the confidence to move forward.

1. You Passed the Whole Stone

This is the most obvious and probably the most satisfying. If you pass your kidney stone in its entirety, you’ll likely know it. Most people pass a single stone at a time, even though some may have multiple stones waiting in line.

A fully passed stone—especially if it's a calcium oxalate monohydrate stone—will appear dark, round, and spherical or oval. These are typically dense and come out intact. If that’s what you see in the toilet or strainer, chances are you’re done.

But not all kidney stones look the same. Some, especially less dense stones that form along the kidney wall, can be jagged or misshaped. If you pass a piece that looks like it broke off, you may still have remnants coming. Examine the stone closely. Look for discontinuity or broken edges. Your body may also still be telling you there’s more in there, so listen to how you feel.

Passing a stone through the urethra doesn’t hurt, but it’s noticeable. It feels like a little jolt or shock—just enough to make you pause. That quick sensation usually tells you something just left the body.

If this is your first stone, don’t toss it! Capture it. That stone holds vital clues about what type it is and how it formed, which will help prevent future stones.

2. You’re Passing Gravel

Sometimes, a kidney stone doesn’t come out whole. Instead, it breaks into smaller pieces—this is what we call gravel. These pieces may pass over the course of a few days. It often starts with little specks, then chunks of the larger stone follow.

Certain types like struvite or brushite stones are dense and usually don’t break apart. But others—especially less dense varieties—can crumble during passage or with the help of natural or medical expulsive therapies.

Just like with a whole stone, when gravel passes, you’ll usually feel that same distinct jolt through your urethra. And again, try to capture any visible sediment if you can. Even if the pieces are small, they can provide clues about your stone type.

These early gravel pieces are often a sign that the rest of the stone is on its way. As the overall volume of the stone decreases, it moves more freely. Expect the bigger piece to follow soon after.

3. You’re Passing Sand

This one’s a bit trickier. When a kidney stone breaks down into super fine particles, it feels like a burning or stinging sensation while you urinate. That burning comes from tiny, abrasive pieces cutting their way out—this is what we call sand.

You won’t always see it unless you’re using a urine strainer, which I highly recommend. These fine particles are a great sign—they often indicate you’re dealing with a weaker density stone. Sometimes, they’ll completely disintegrate, especially if you’re using something like our Cleanse supplement, which is designed to support that breakdown.

This process usually lasts one to three days. You might feel that initial burning sensation, then continue to pass smaller particles over time.

Again, it’s nothing dangerous—just irritating. Your urethra is delicate, and it’s not used to abrasive debris. But once it’s over, you’re in the clear.

What Happens After the Stone Passes?

After passing any kind of stone—whole, gravel, or sand—you’ll probably feel some soreness. This can last one to two weeks. It’s not the same intense pain as before, but more of an annoying tenderness. Over-the-counter pain relief like Tylenol can help. Stick with acetaminophen-based options to reduce inflammation without complications.

More importantly, stay hydrated. I know it’s cliché, but dehydration is one of the biggest culprits behind kidney stone formation. Rehydration now helps your body heal and sets you up for long-term prevention.

Don’t Forget: Get Your Stone Analyzed

This is something almost no one does, but it’s essential. Take your stone to your urologist or general practitioner and ask to have it analyzed. They’ll send it to a lab, and the analysis will reveal the stone’s composition.

That information can guide changes to your diet, lifestyle, and supplementation to prevent future stones. It gives you power and direction instead of just hoping the next stone doesn’t show up.

Final Thoughts

Whether you pass a whole stone, a handful of gravel, or just a shower of sand, your body gives you signs. The key is paying attention, capturing what you can, and following through with analysis.

If you’re still unsure whether you’ve passed your kidney stone, go back to these three clues. They’re your best tools for knowing what’s going on and what comes next.

Stay strong, stay hydrated, and stay informed.