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If you have an enlarged prostate, your doctor may use a questionnaire to measure your symptoms. One of the most common questionnaires is called the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire.

This questionnaire has seven questions that ask you to rate how bad your symptoms are.¹ Your answers are used to calculate what's called your symptoms score. There is also an eighth question about how your symptoms affect your life.

To calculate your symptoms score, answer the following questions using this scale:

• 0 = not at all
• 1 = less than 1 time in 5
• 2 = less than half of the time
• 3 = about half of the time
• 4 = more than half of the time
• 5 = almost always.

• How often have you felt that you're not emptying your bladder completely after urinating?
• How often have you had to urinate again less than two hours after you last urinated?
• How often have you stopped and started several times while urinating?
• How often have you found it difficult to put off urinating?
• How often have you had a weak stream of urine?
• How often have you had to push or strain to begin urinating?
• How many times during each night did you typically have to get up to urinate? (This question uses a slightly different scale: 0 = none, 1 = one time, 2 = two times, 3 = three times, 4 = four times, and 5 = five times or more.)

To figure out your symptom score, add together your responses to each question. Your score can range from 0 to 35. Here's what the scores mean.¹

• 0 to 7: Your symptoms are mild.
• 8 to 19: Your symptoms are moderate.
• 20 to 35: Your symptoms are severe.

• If you were to spend the rest of your life with your urinary condition the way it is now, how would you feel about that? (You answer this question using a six-point scale, where 0 = delighted and 6 = terrible.)

This last question is used to assess how you feel about your symptoms. Some men may have a high symptom score but not be bothered by their symptoms. Others may find they can't put up with even mild symptoms. This "bothersomeness" factor helps you and your doctor to decide whether you need treatment.

The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a standard questionnaire used in the United States and around the world. It was developed by the American Urological Association. The "quality of life" question was added by the World Health Organization.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.