IPSS Symptom Score
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is the global standard for assessing BPH severity. Answer 7 simple questions to get your score.
1.Incomplete Emptying
Over the past month, how often have you had a sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finish urinating?
2.Frequency
Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate again less than two hours after you finished urinating?
3.Intermittency
Over the past month, how often have you found you stopped and started again several times when you urinated?
4.Urgency
Over the past month, how often have you found it difficult to postpone urination?
5.Weak Stream
Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urinary stream?
6.Straining
Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to begin urination?
7.Nocturia
Over the past month, how many times did you most typically get up to urinate from the time you went to bed until the time you got up in the morning?
What is the IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score)?
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was created by the American Urological Association (AUA). It is the most widely used tool by urologists worldwide to objectively measure the severity of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms, also known as an enlarged prostate.
This validated 7-question survey takes just 2-3 minutes to complete and provides a score from 0-35 that corresponds to symptom severity categories:
- Mild (0-7): Usually requires no treatment, just active observation.
- Moderate (8-19): Often treated with medications like Alpha Blockers (tamsulosin).
- Severe (20-35): May require surgical intervention such as TURP or HoLEP if medications fail.
The 7 IPSS Questions Explained
Each question measures a specific urinary symptom experienced over the past month:
- Incomplete Emptying: Feeling like your bladder isn't empty after urinating
- Frequency: Needing to urinate again within 2 hours
- Intermittency: Starting and stopping multiple times during urination
- Urgency: Difficulty postponing urination
- Weak Stream: Having a weak urinary stream
- Straining: Needing to push or strain to begin urination
- Nocturia: Getting up at night to urinate
Learn more about what each question measures in our detailed IPSS question guide.
How IPSS Score Guides Treatment
Your IPSS score helps doctors decide the most appropriate treatment path:
- Mild vs Moderate vs Severe BPH - What each level means for you
- IPSS-Based Treatment Decisions - How urologists use your score
- Tracking Your Score Over Time - Monitor disease progression
- Quality of Life Impact - Beyond the numbers
Related Tools
For complete prostate health assessment, also consider using:
- Prostate Volume Calculator - Measure your prostate size (symptoms don't always correlate with size!)
- PSA Doubling Time Calculator - Track how fast your PSA is rising
- Prostate Weight Calculator - Convert volume to weight for surgical planning
- PSA Density Calculator - Understand your cancer risk