International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Test and Chart

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2022/12/11 - Updated: 2025/01/17
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: IPSS test for males to determine problems with urinary difficulties and to check how effective treatment includes a fillable and printable chart.

Why it matters: The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) test and chart, as presented below, is a valuable tool for men experiencing urinary difficulties. This self-administered questionnaire, developed by the American Urological Association and adopted worldwide, helps assess the severity of urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The page provides a comprehensive breakdown of the test, including the scoring system, symptom questions, and a quality of life assessment. By offering a printable chart and explaining how to interpret the results, this resource enables men to better understand their urinary health and facilitates more informed discussions with healthcare providers about potential treatment options for prostate-related issues - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

The American Urological Association (AUA) developed the following questionnaire to help males determine problems with their urinary difficulties and check how effective treatment is. This chart has since been adopted worldwide and is known as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Main Item

The International Prostate Symptom Score is based on the answers to urinary symptoms, and one question concerns your perceived quality of life. For each question, you choose one of the provided answers. The answers are assigned points from 0 to 5. Your total score ranges from 0 to 35 (asymptomatic to very symptomatic).

Symptom Score Point Scale

Use the following point scale when answering the questions.

• 0 points = You answered "never".
• 1 point = You answered "less than 1 out of 5 times".
• 2 points = You answered "less than half the time."
• 3 points = You answered "about half the time."
• 4 points = You answered "more than half the time."
• 5 points = You answered "almost always".

Symptom Score Questions

• Over the past month, how often have you had the feeling of not completely emptying your bladder after you finished urinating? (A male who had the feeling of not completely emptying his bladder less than half the time - but more than 1 out of 5 times - score 2 points.)
• Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate less than 2 hours again after you finished urinating?
• Over the past month, how often have you found that you stopped and started several times again when urinating?
• Over the past month, how often have you found it hard to hold your urine? (A male who found it hard to hold his urine less than once out of every five times - score 1 point.)
• Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urine stream?
• Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to begin urination?
• Over the past month, have you had to get up to urinate during the night? Give a score to the number of times you.
  • Did not get up at all - 0 points
  • You got up one time - 1 point
  • You got up two times - 2 points
  • You got up three times - 3 points
  • You got up four times - 4 points
  • You got up five times or more - 5 points.

Your Total Score

Reference your score to the chart below. Your total score shows the severity of your symptoms. Your total score can be used to develop a treatment plan if needed.

Quality of Life Scale

The International Scientific Committee (SCI), under the patronage of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), recommends the use of only a single question to assess the quality of life. Although this single question may or may not capture the global impact of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms or quality of life, it may serve as a valuable starting point for a doctor-patient conversation. The answers to this question range from "delighted" to "terrible" or 0 to 6. If you were to spend the rest of your life with your urinary condition just the way it is now, how would you feel about that?

• Delighted
• Pleased
• Mostly satisfied
• Mixed
• Mostly dissatisfied
• Unhappy
• Terrible

Print the Fillable International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Chart

Continued below image.

Continued...

The Healthwise International Prostate Symptom Score is current as of February 10, 2021.

Related Information

• Prostate Glossary of Definitions
• Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments
• Male Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Levels and Chart
• Prostate Gland: Enlarged Symptoms, Cancer & Treatments
• Natural Remedies For Prostate Problems
• Erectile Dysfunction: Male Impotence Information

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.