Introduction
The International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS) is a tool for assessing symptoms of BPH.
The American Urological Association(AUA) has created this symptom index to give you and your physician an understanding of the severity of your enlarged prostate symptoms.
The IPSS consists of seven questions about urinary symptoms, each scored from 0 to 5 to reflect symptom severity. It helps physicians make treatment decisions.
0-7 : mildly symptomatic
8-19 : moderately symptomatic
20-35 : severely symptomatic
What is IPSS?
The IPSS questionnaire consists of eight questions—seven focused on urinary symptoms and one on quality of life. The questionnaire covers:
1. Empty the bladder completely
2. Urge to urinate within a short time
3. Stopping and starting the flow during urination
4. Difficulty holding urine
5. Weak urine stream
6. Strain during urination
7. Frequent nighttime urination
The final question measures quality of life, with higher scores showing a greater impact of symptoms on daily activities.
The first seven questions of IPSS are also divided into two subscores:
an obstruction subscore and an irritation subscore for further evaluation.
Obstruction subscore assesses the severity of symptoms related to the blockage of urine flow from the bladder. It includes four questions about weak stream, intermittency, hesitancy, and a sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
A higher obstruction subscore suggests that the prostate gland is enlarged and is obstructing the urethra.
Irritation subscore assesses the severity of symptoms related to bladder irritation. It includes three questions about frequency, urgency, and nocturia.
A higher irritation subscore suggests that the bladder is inflamed or irritated, which can cause frequent urination, urgency, and pain.
Check your prostate health yourself.
How IPSS Helps Manage BPH
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a valuable tool for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Unlike a traditional medical history check, which relies on subjective patient reports, IPSS offers a standardized, objective assessment of urinary symptoms. This means that it provides a consistent way to measure symptom severity over time.
IPSS is especially useful for individuals diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and can help track symptom progression over time. The IPSS doesn’t diagnose BPH, but it effectively measures symptom severity and tracks treatment progress.
Regularly reviewing IPSS scores supports personalized treatment decisions, aiming to improve symptoms and quality of life.
By tracking changes in IPSS scores, healthcare providers can:
Monitor disease progression: Determine if symptoms are worsening or improving.
Evaluate treatment effectiveness: Assess how well medications or other interventions are working.
Make informed treatment decisions: Choose the most appropriate treatment options based on symptom severity.
In essence, IPSS provides a more precise and reliable way to manage BPH compared to relying solely on subjective patient accounts.
Using IPSS Scores for Personalized Care
Patients with mild scores may only need to make some lifestyle changes. For those with higher scores, medical or surgical options may be considered.
The higher your score, the greater the impact on your daily life. Take the IPSS test today and start planning to improve your prostate health.
Your IPSS score helps determine the best treatment approach for your BPH:
Mild Symptoms (IPSS 0-7): Lifestyle changes might be enough to manage your symptoms initially.
Moderate (IPSS 8-19) to Severe (IPSS 20-35) Symptoms: Medical treatments or surgery may be necessary.
The higher your IPSS score, the more your symptoms affect your daily life. It's important to discuss your IPSS score with your doctor to create a personalized treatment plan.
Recent clinical studies show that many men undergoing BPH surgeries or minimally invasive procedures had average IPSS scores between 18 and 25 before treatment. After these procedures, their scores significantly improved to between 8 and 12 points within three months.
While IPSS doesn't make a final diagnosis or treatment decision, it’s a valuable tool for evaluating urinary symptoms and supporting informed decision-making between patients and doctors. Regularly checking your IPSS score can help track changes in your symptoms over time and detect potential issues early.
By understanding the two subscores of the IPSS, men can better understand the nature of their symptoms and work with their healthcare provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Are you a male over the age of 50?
Notice any of these signs?
✔️ A weak or interrupted urine flow
✔️ Frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom
✔️ Difficulty fully emptying your bladder
If any of these apply to you, you may have benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).
Simply install the app, use it while urinating, and get results in seconds.
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Home urine flow test app
Instant, real-time results: OK - Fair - Weak - Very Weak
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FDA Class II medical device application
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Assess BPH symptoms.Today. At-Home.