Kidney stone cases often rise during warmer months, leading to more urgent visits for sudden back or flank pain. While stones can develop at any time of year, heat exposure and fluid loss significantly increase risk. Importantly, kidney stones are not limited to men. Women can and do develop kidney stones, and rates among women have increased over time.

Understanding seasonal triggers and sex-specific considerations can help patients reduce their risk.

1. Heat and Fluid Loss Increase Stone Formation

Warm weather leads to increased sweating. If fluid intake does not adequately replace those losses, urine volume drops and becomes more concentrated. When urine is concentrated, minerals such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid are more likely to crystallize and form stones.

Even mild dehydration over several consecutive days can increase risk. Individuals working outdoors, exercising in heat, or traveling frequently during summer may not realize how much fluid they are losing.

2. Women Can Get Kidney Stones — and Rates Are Rising

Although kidney stones were once more common in men, recent data show that women are increasingly affected. Younger women in particular have seen a noticeable rise in incidence.

Women face several unique considerations:

• Higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs): Certain bacteria can promote the formation of infection-related (struvite) stones.

• Hormonal changes: Estrogen may have protective metabolic effects earlier in life, but risk can increase after menopause.

• Pregnancy: Stones are uncommon but possible during pregnancy and can present with back or abdominal pain.

Because kidney stone symptoms may overlap with urinary infections or gynecologic conditions, evaluation is important to ensure accurate diagnosis.

3. Diet and Metabolic Health Play a Role

Seasonal dietary changes can also contribute. Increased sodium intake raises calcium levels in the urine, while high consumption of animal protein may increase uric acid levels and lower urinary citrate, a natural inhibitor of stone formation.

Obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome are additional risk factors in both men and women. These metabolic changes alter urinary chemistry and increase the likelihood of stone development.

4. Recurrence is Common Without Prevention

Once someone develops a kidney stone, the chance of recurrence is significant without preventive measures. Risk remains elevated year-round but can be amplified during hot weather if hydration is not maintained.

Physicians may recommend further evaluation, including metabolic testing, for patients with recurrent stones to tailor prevention strategies.

Prevention Strategies for Both Men and Women

• Drink enough fluids to produce light-colored urine
• Drink enough fluids to produce pale or clear urine
• Increase hydration during heat exposure or exercise
• Limit sodium intake
• Maintain a balanced diet with adequate dietary calcium
• Address weight management and metabolic health
• Follow individualized guidance if you have had stones before

For patients with recurrent stones, targeted dietary adjustments or medications may be recommended based on stone composition.

The Bottom Line

Kidney stones are more common in the summer due to dehydration and concentrated urine. Women are not immune, and rates among women have increased in recent years. Staying well hydrated, maintaining balanced nutrition, and managing metabolic risk factors are key steps in prevention for everyone.

References

Scales CD Jr, Smith AC, Hanley JM, Saigal CS. Prevalence of kidney stones in the United States. European Urology. 2012;62(1):160–165.

Roudakova K, Monga M. The evolving epidemiology of stone disease. Indian Journal of Urology. 2014;30(1):44–48.

National Kidney Foundation. Kidney stones: Causes, symptoms, and prevention. Updated 2024.

Rule AD, Lieske JC, Li X, et al. The ROKS nomogram for predicting kidney stone recurrence. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2014;25(12):2878–2886.