Ureteral Obstruction

A ureteral obstruction is a blockage in one or both of your ureters. Ureters are the tubes that carry pee from your kidneys to your bladder. Many different conditions and diseases can cause a blockage in your ureters.

A ureteral obstruction prevents pee from moving into your bladder and out of your body. Without treating and removing the blockage, pee can back up and damage your kidneys. This can cause pain and put you at risk of infection. In severe cases, a ureteral obstruction can lead to kidney failure, sepsis (life-threatening infection) or death. This is rare, though, because healthcare providers can treat ureteral blockages.

How common is ureteral obstruction?

Ureteral obstructions are fairly common. They’re more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) over 60 because their prostates enlarge as they age. A prostate is a gland that sits below your bladder in front of your rectum. An enlarged prostate can block the flow of pee and result in buildup of pee in your bladder. It can also push up against your ureter and cause a blockage. Any person at any age can have a blocked ureter, including children.