Pain caused by kidney stones is mainly located in the lower back or abdomen and varies depending on the location of the stone. If the stone is lodged in the renal pelvis causing an obstruction, the pain is mainly located in the lower back and radiates to the back. If the stone is obstructed in the ureteral junction of the renal pelvis, the pain may be in the upper abdomen and may sometimes be thought of as stomach pain because sometimes the stone pain can cause nausea and vomiting. If the stone discharges further into the lower ureter, the pain is mainly located in the lower abdomen, which is a painful sensation in the suprapubic region that can radiate to the scrotum, penis or female labia. The pain disappears when the stone is discharged into the bladder through the ureter. Sometimes the stones rub excessively in the bladder, causing vague pain in the small of the abdomen, along with symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination. When the kidney stone is discharged further into the urethra, it only causes stabbing pain in the urethra, but no pain in the lower back or abdomen.