International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)

Evaluate the severity of urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Over the past month, how often have you had a sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finished urinating? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate again less than 2 hours after you finished urinating? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how often have you found you stopped and started again several times when you urinated? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how often have you found it difficult to postpone urination? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urinary stream? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to begin urination? Not at all Less than 1 time in 5 Less than half the time About half the time More than half the time Almost always

Over the past month, how many times did you most typically get up to urinate from the time you went to bed at night until the time you got up in the morning? None 1 time 2 times 3 times 4 times 5 or more times

Interpretation

Source: Barry MJ, Fowler FJ Jr, O'Leary MP, Bruskewitz RC, Holtgrewe HL, Mebust WK, Cockett AT. The American Urological Association symptom index for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Measurement Committee of the American Urological Association. J Urol. 1992 Nov;148(5):1549-57; discussion 1564. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)36966-5. PMID: 1279218.