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Interactive Tool: How Bad Are Your Urinary Symptoms From Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

What does this tool help you learn?

This tool asks about your urinary symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and gives you a score based on how severe your symptoms are. BPH is an enlarged prostate gland. As the prostate gets bigger, it may cause problems urinating. Your score on this tool may help you think about if and how you want to treat the problem.

The tool is based on the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index. The index is also called the International Prostate Symptom Score.

McVary KT, et al. (2010). Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In American Urological Association Guideline: Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), pp. 2-34. Linthicum, MD: American Urological Association Education and Research. Available online: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph.

What does your score mean?

Your score gives you an idea of how bad your symptoms are. It will fall into one of these ranges:

  • Mild (0 to 7)
  • Moderate (8 to 19)
  • Severe (20 to 35)

By itself, your score does not mean that you do or do not need treatment. But it is a useful way for you and your doctor to look at and talk about your symptoms and watch them over time.

Men differ in how bothered they are by urination problems. One man may not be troubled by his symptoms at all, and another man-with the same score-may feel that his symptoms are having a big impact on his life.

What's next?

BPH can be a bother, but it is usually not a serious health problem. If you are concerned about your symptoms, talk to your doctor about your options. They may include:

  • Small changes to your lifestyle and urination habits, plus regular checkups to make sure that the problem is not changing or getting worse.
  • Medicines to help reduce your symptoms.
  • Surgery to help correct the problem and reduce your symptoms.

The main thing that helps you decide if and how to treat your symptoms is how much the symptoms bother you, not what your score is. To learn more, see these topics:

References

Citations

  1. McVary KT, et al. (2010). Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In American Urological Association Guideline: Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), pp. 2-34. Linthicum, MD: American Urological Association Education and Research. Available online: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph.

Other Works Consulted

  • Barry MJ, et al. (1992). American Urological Association symptom index for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Journal of Urology, 148(5): 1549-1557.
  • McVary KT, et al. (2010). Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In American Urological Association Guideline: Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), pp. 2-34. Linthicum, MD: American Urological Association Education and Research. Available online: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology

Current as ofDecember 3, 2017

Current as of: December 3, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology