Dolly Parton publicly discussed her kidney stone struggles for years before her passing on August 25, 2026. Her experience has brought renewed attention to a condition that is becoming increasingly common in women. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data show that kidney stone prevalence in the United States has risen from 3.8% to 8.8% over the past four decades, with rates stabilizing in men but continuing to increase in women. This article covers the warning signs of kidney stones, including the symptom combination that signals a life-threatening emergency, why women are being affected at rising rates, and how to lower your risk.
Dolly Parton Was Open About Her Kidney Stone Battles
On August 25, 2026, the world lost Dolly Parton. The 80-year-old country music legend, philanthropist, and cultural icon died after a brief battle with cancer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones.
In the months before her death, Parton had been candid about health challenges that included recurring kidney stones. In September 2025, she missed a scheduled appearance at her Dollywood theme park, explaining in a video that she had “a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems. Turned out it’d given me an infection.” She postponed her Las Vegas residency in October 2025 and again in May 2026, citing ongoing health procedures.
At Dollywood’s opening day in March 2026, Parton addressed fans directly: she had needed time to rebuild herself “spiritually, emotionally, and physically” after years of caring for her late husband, Carl Dean, and neglecting her own health.
Parton’s team has not indicated that her kidney stone history was related to her cancer diagnosis or death. But her willingness to discuss the condition publicly has put a spotlight on a health issue that affects far more women than most people realize, and that is getting more common, not less.
Kidney Stones Are Rising in Women. The Research Confirms It.
Kidney stones have historically been thought of as a condition that predominantly affects men. That picture is changing.
A 2025 analysis of NHANES data published in the Canadian Urological Association Journal found that the overall prevalence of kidney stones in U.S. adults has remained relatively stable over the past decade, but there has been a notable and statistically significant increase in prevalence among women (Chen et al., 2025). From NHANES II (1976 to 1980) through recent surveys, kidney stone prevalence in the U.S. rose from 3.8% to 8.8%, with rates stabilizing in men but continuing to climb in women.
A separate 2025 NHANES analysis published in the International Journal of Surgery found that kidney stone prevalence among women with obesity increased significantly from 8.8% to 11.5% between 2007 and 2020 (Li et al., 2025).
A 2026 study published in Scientific Reports using the UK Biobank (494,745 participants) confirmed an age-dependent convergence: while kidney stones are still more common in men at younger ages, the gender gap narrows with age, and postmenopausal women approach male incidence rates (Wu et al., 2026).
Today, roughly 1 in 10 Americans will experience a kidney stone at some point in their lives, and once you have had one, the chance of recurrence is approximately 50% within five to seven years without preventive measures (MUSC, 2025; NIDDK, n.d.).
What Kidney Stones Are and How They Form
Kidney stones (renal calculi) are hard mineral and salt deposits that form inside the kidneys when the urine becomes concentrated with substances like calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or cystine. These substances crystallize and stick together, forming stones that range from the size of a grain of sand to larger than a golf ball.
Small stones may pass through the urinary tract on their own, sometimes without symptoms. Larger stones can become lodged in the ureter (the narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), blocking urine flow and causing intense pain.
Types of Kidney Stones
| Type | Frequency | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium oxalate | Most common (about 80%) | Formed when calcium combines with oxalate in urine; linked to high-oxalate foods and insufficient calcium intake |
| Calcium phosphate | Less common | Sometimes associated with metabolic conditions and renal tubular acidosis |
| Uric acid | ~5 to 10% | More common in people with gout, diabetes, or high-protein diets; formed in acidic urine |
| Struvite | ~10% | Caused by urinary tract infections; more common in women; can grow quickly |
| Cystine | Rare | Caused by a hereditary condition (cystinuria) |
Struvite stones deserve special attention for women because they are directly caused by UTIs, which are far more common in women than men. These stones can grow rapidly, sometimes filling the entire kidney (staghorn calculi), and require urgent treatment.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones Women Should Recognize
Kidney stones can be asymptomatic when small. Symptoms typically begin when a stone moves into the ureter and blocks urine flow.
The Classic Warning Signs
Severe pain in the back or side, below the ribs. This is renal colic, and it is frequently described as one of the most intense pains a person can experience. The pain often starts suddenly and comes in waves as the ureter contracts to push the stone through.
Pain that shifts to the lower abdomen and groin. As the stone moves down the ureter toward the bladder, the location of the pain migrates. Women sometimes mistake this for menstrual cramps, ovarian cyst pain, or appendicitis.
Pain during urination. A burning or sharp sensation when urinating, especially as the stone nears or enters the bladder.
Pink, red, or brown urine. Blood in the urine (hematuria) occurs because the stone irritates or damages the lining of the ureter or bladder.
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine. This can indicate an infection accompanying the stone.
Nausea and vomiting. The intensity of renal colic frequently triggers nausea, and vomiting is common during severe episodes.
Frequent or urgent urination. Particularly when the stone is near the bladder, the urge to urinate may be constant even when the bladder is not full.
Inability to urinate or producing only small amounts. This may indicate a stone is blocking the ureter.
The Emergency Sign Most People Do Not Know About
Duke Health urologist Dr. Charles Scales highlighted one symptom combination that Dolly Parton’s case illustrates: kidney stone pain accompanied by fever.
“It’s very important for patients to understand that if you have pain that could be a kidney stone and also a fever, that can be a sign of a life-threatening infection, and you should go to the emergency room right away,” Dr. Scales said (WRAL, 2026).
When a stone blocks urine flow and bacteria are present, the trapped infected urine can lead to sepsis, a condition in which the body’s immune response to infection begins damaging its own organs. Sepsis can progress rapidly and become fatal.
Parton herself described how her kidney stone “gave me an infection” in September 2025, underscoring how a condition that is often treated as a painful nuisance can become medically urgent.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you have:
- Kidney stone pain with fever (any temperature elevation)
- Kidney stone pain with chills or shaking
- Inability to urinate for several hours
- Severe pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication
- Visible blood in your urine along with severe pain
- Nausea and vomiting so severe you cannot keep fluids down
Why Women Are Getting More Kidney Stones
Several factors are driving the increase in kidney stones among women:
Rising obesity rates. Obesity is a significant risk factor for kidney stone formation. The International Journal of Surgery analysis found the strongest prevalence increases among women with obesity (8.8% to 11.5% from 2007 to 2020) (Li et al., 2025). Obesity alters urine composition by increasing calcium excretion, uric acid production, and urinary acidity.
Dietary changes. Higher sodium intake, increased consumption of animal protein, and lower calcium intake from food (paradoxically, low dietary calcium increases stone risk by allowing more oxalate to be absorbed) all contribute.
Chronic dehydration. Insufficient fluid intake concentrates urine, making crystallization more likely.
Hormonal factors. Estrogen has a protective effect against kidney stone formation. After menopause, declining estrogen levels remove that protection, which partly explains why the gender gap in stone incidence narrows with age (Wu et al., 2026).
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Both conditions increase the acidity of urine, favoring uric acid stone formation. The prevalence of both is rising in women.
UTI-related struvite stones. Women are far more likely than men to develop UTIs, and struvite stones form directly as a result of certain urinary tract infections.
How Kidney Stones Are Diagnosed
If you present with symptoms suggestive of a kidney stone, your doctor will typically order:
- CT scan (without contrast): The gold standard for detecting kidney stones, identifying their size, location, and number
- Urinalysis: Checks for blood, crystals, bacteria, and white blood cells
- Basic metabolic panel: Assesses kidney function (creatinine, BUN) and electrolytes (calcium, uric acid)
- Stone analysis: If you pass a stone, collecting it and having it analyzed determines its composition, which guides prevention
Treatment Options
Small Stones (Under 5mm)
Most small stones pass on their own within one to two weeks with increased fluid intake (2 to 3 liters per day) and pain management. Your doctor may prescribe an alpha-blocker (tamsulosin) to relax the ureter and help the stone pass more easily. Over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or acetaminophen are first-line pain options.
Larger Stones (Over 5mm) or Stones That Do Not Pass
- Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL): Uses sound waves to break stones into smaller fragments that can pass in the urine
- Ureteroscopy: A thin scope is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to locate and remove or fragment the stone with a laser
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: For very large or complex stones; a small incision in the back allows direct access to the kidney for stone removal
Infected Stones
If a stone is causing a urinary obstruction with infection, the priority is draining the infected urine, typically with a ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube, and administering IV antibiotics before addressing the stone itself.
How to Lower Your Risk (Prevention That Works)
Hydration
This is the single most effective prevention strategy. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends drinking enough fluid to produce at least 2 liters (roughly 8 cups) of urine per day. For most people, that means consuming approximately 2.5 to 3 liters of fluid daily. Water is the best choice.
A simple test: if your urine is consistently light yellow or clear, you are likely drinking enough.
Dietary Changes
Reduce sodium. High sodium intake increases calcium excretion in the urine, raising stone risk. Aim for under 2,300 mg of sodium per day (about 1 teaspoon of salt).
Eat adequate calcium from food (not supplements). This may sound counterintuitive, but dietary calcium binds to oxalate in the intestines, preventing it from reaching the kidneys. Low-calcium diets actually increase stone risk. Aim for 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day from food sources (milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy greens, fortified foods).
Limit high-oxalate foods if you form calcium oxalate stones. These include spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, and tea. You do not need to eliminate them, but moderate portions and pair them with calcium-rich foods.
Moderate animal protein. High intake of red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood increases uric acid and reduces citrate (a stone inhibitor) in the urine.
Increase citrate-rich foods. Lemons, limes, oranges, and other citrus fruits increase urinary citrate, which inhibits stone formation. Lemon water is a practical daily habit.
Medical Prevention for Recurrent Stone Formers
For people who have had multiple kidney stones, a 24-hour urine analysis can identify the specific metabolic abnormalities driving stone formation. Based on the results, your doctor may prescribe:
- Thiazide diuretics (to reduce calcium excretion)
- Potassium citrate (to increase urinary citrate and raise pH)
- Allopurinol (for uric acid stones)
- Antibiotics (for struvite stones caused by chronic infection)
Myths vs. Facts About Kidney Stones
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Kidney stones only affect men. | Kidney stone rates are rising in women while stabilizing in men. The gender gap narrows with age, and postmenopausal women approach male incidence rates. |
| You should avoid calcium to prevent kidney stones. | Low dietary calcium increases stone risk. Calcium from food binds to oxalate in the gut and prevents it from reaching the kidneys. Calcium supplements, however, may slightly increase risk if not taken with meals. |
| Kidney stones are painful but never dangerous. | Kidney stones become life-threatening when they cause an obstruction combined with infection. This can lead to sepsis, which can be fatal if untreated. |
| Cranberry juice prevents kidney stones. | Cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs, but it is high in oxalate and can actually increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones. |
| Once you pass a stone, you are fine. | Without preventive changes, the recurrence rate is approximately 50% within five to seven years. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have a kidney stone?
The most common symptom is sudden, severe pain in the back or side below the ribs, often radiating to the lower abdomen and groin. Other signs include blood in the urine, pain during urination, nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination. Small stones may pass without symptoms.
Are kidney stones more common in women now?
Yes. NHANES data show that kidney stone prevalence has increased significantly in women while remaining stable in men. The increase is most pronounced in women with obesity. Hormonal changes after menopause also contribute to higher rates in older women.
When should I go to the ER for a kidney stone?
Go to the emergency room if kidney stone pain is accompanied by fever (this can signal a life-threatening infection), if you are unable to urinate, if you cannot keep fluids down due to vomiting, or if the pain is severe and unresponsive to over-the-counter medication.
Can kidney stones be prevented?
Many kidney stones can be prevented with increased fluid intake (enough to produce 2 liters of urine daily), reduced sodium consumption, adequate dietary calcium, moderate animal protein intake, and increased citrate from citrus fruits. For recurrent stone formers, a 24-hour urine analysis can guide specific medical prevention.
Do kidney stones cause cancer?
Research suggests a modest association between kidney stones and kidney cancer. Dr. Charles Scales of Duke Health notes that the average lifetime kidney cancer risk is about 1.7 to 1.8%, and it may roughly double in people with a history of kidney stones. While a doubling sounds significant, the overall risk remains low. Parton’s team has not indicated that her kidney stones were related to her cancer diagnosis.
What did Dolly Parton say about her kidney stones?
Parton was open about her struggles. In September 2025, she explained that a kidney stone had caused an infection. She postponed her Las Vegas shows and multiple appearances. At Dollywood in March 2026, she said she needed to rebuild herself physically after years of neglecting her health while caring for her late husband.
Expert Tips
- Do not dismiss flank pain as a pulled muscle. Kidney stone pain is often mistaken for a back injury, especially in women who may not consider kidney stones as a possibility. If pain is severe, comes in waves, and is accompanied by urinary changes, think kidney stone.
- Fever plus kidney pain is an emergency. This combination can indicate infected urine trapped behind a stone, which can progress to sepsis within hours. Do not wait to see if the fever breaks. Go to the emergency room.
- Strain your urine if you are passing a stone. Catching the stone in a strainer allows it to be analyzed, which tells your doctor exactly what type of stone you form and how to prevent the next one.
- Drink water proactively, not reactively. The goal is to produce at least 2 liters of urine per day. If you wait until you are thirsty, you are already behind. Carry a water bottle and sip throughout the day.
- Get dietary calcium from food, not pills. Calcium from food reduces kidney stone risk by binding oxalate in the intestines. Calcium supplements taken between meals do not have this effect and may modestly increase risk.
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton publicly struggled with kidney stones for years before her death on August 25, 2026, at age 80 from cancer. Her team has not linked her kidney stone history to her cancer diagnosis.
- Kidney stone prevalence in U.S. women has risen significantly over the past two decades while remaining stable in men. Women with obesity have seen the sharpest increase (8.8% to 11.5%).
- The gender gap in kidney stone incidence narrows with age, partly because declining estrogen after menopause removes a protective factor.
- Warning signs include severe flank pain, pain radiating to the groin, blood in urine, and nausea. Kidney stone pain accompanied by fever is a medical emergency that can indicate a life-threatening infection.
- Prevention centers on hydration (producing 2 liters of urine daily), reduced sodium, adequate dietary calcium, moderate animal protein, and increased citrate from citrus fruits.
- Struvite stones, which form from UTIs, are more common in women and can grow rapidly, requiring urgent treatment.
In Her Own Words
Dolly Parton spent a lifetime turning personal hardship into public generosity. Even in discussing her health, she reassured her fans while being direct about what she was going through. “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business,” she said in September 2025, “because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”
Her openness about kidney stones, a condition often endured in silence because people assume it is “just pain,” has given millions of women a reason to take the condition seriously. Kidney stones are common. They are becoming more common in women. And as Parton’s experience demonstrated, they can lead to infections that become genuinely dangerous when left unaddressed.
If you have been ignoring recurring flank pain, pushing through symptoms you have been too busy to investigate, or assuming kidney stones are a problem for someone else, consider this the prompt to talk to your doctor. Dolly would not want you to wait.
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