The BPH Symptom Score questionnaire can help men track the progression of their BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Answer eight questions to assess the severity of symptoms and monitor the effectiveness of BPH treatment.

If you find yourself having to urinate frequently, straining to empty your bladder, unable to postpone urination, or other male urinary problems, you may be suffering from BPH. BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate. In many older men, the enlarged prostate may press against the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) and prevent urine from flowing properly. This may lead to symptoms such as the need to urinate often, a weak urine stream, straining to urinate, feeling the bladder is not completely empty, and a sudden urge to urinate.

Your BPH Symptom Score (also called the IPSS*) is calculated with questionnaire that measures the severity of your urinary symptoms, which can help you and your doctor track the progression of BPH. Answer eight simple questions about the severity of symptoms--for example: "Over the past month, how often have you had a sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finished urinating?" and "Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urinary stream?" Once completed, the score can be e-mailed to you to be printed out and taken to the doctor for a full discussion and assessment. You can also use the questionnaire to monitor the effectiveness of your BPH treatment.

*International Prostate Symptom Score.
Adapted from Roehrborn CG, McConnell JD, Barry MJ, et al. Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. 2003. Reprinted with permission from the American Urological Association.