Johns Hopkins Health Alert
What's Your Prostate Symptom Score?
Here’s an easy way to calculate whether you need treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire (see below) was developed by the American Urological Association to help men evaluate the severity of their symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This self-administered test can help determine which type of prostate treatment is needed, if any.
Instructions: Use this key to answer each question, then tabulate your score to assess your BPH severity.
Not at all = 0
Less than 1 time in 5 = 1
Less than half the time = 2
About half the time = 3
More than half the time = 4
Almost always = 5
- Over the past month, how often have you had the sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finished urinating?
- Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate again less than two hours after you finished urinating?
- Over the past month, how often have you found you stopped and started again several times when you urinated?
- Over the past month, how often have you found it difficult to postpone urination?
- Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urinary stream?
- Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to begin urination?
- Over the past month, how many times did you most typically get up to urinate from the time you went to bed at night until the time you got up in the morning?
Use your total score to assess BPH severity: mild BPH (1 to 7), moderate BPH (8 to 19), or severe BPH (20 to 35). Generally, no treatment is needed if symptoms are mild; moderate symptoms usually call for some form of BPH treatment; and severe symptoms indicate that surgery for BPH is most likely to be effective.
Posted in Prostate Disorders on October 11, 2006
Reviewed June 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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I also would like your thoughts on Flomax. I have been on it for a week, but understand it may take longer to become fully effective.
Posted by: hill45 | November 8, 2006 1:37 AM
I have been taking Doxazosin Mesylate (Cardura) for about 10 years, since I was 58. I started out at 2 mg, and in my mid-sixties I was prescribed 4 mg because 2 mg was no longer adequate. Several tests (including transurethral examination and a needle biopsy--twice in 10 years) have found no evidence of Cancer. My PSA score has been somewhat elevated at times, but usually not enough to cause alarm. About 18 months ago my urologist prescribed Advodart to shrink the prostate. I had a bad case of prostatitis, but recovered in a couple of weeks. While I had the prostatitis, I got the approval of my PCP to increase the Cardura to 6 mg, 2 in the morning and 4 at bedtime. Then I went back on 4 mg. During all of this time, over the past 2 years, I had two or three mild cases of syncope, which seemed to occur when working in the yard on a hot day. I did not loose consciousness but felt faint. More recently, I had more serious episodes. I went to the ER after falling, when I passed out for a split second. This took place after hiking in the woods for about 6 or 7 miles, during which time I got lost and had some moments of near panic. Numerous heart tests have found no heart problem. My urologist took me off the Cardura, but after a few days I got his approval to go back to 2 mg daily because I was having problems urinating that I had not had for many years.
I know that the Cardura is suspect as a cause of the syncope. If no other cause is found, am I risking more serious problems by continuing to take 2 mg? Would another medication be advised?
Posted by: larrycham | December 9, 2006 3:20 PM
I am 73 years old and have had multiple psa tests since 1983 and had a biopsy in 1994 (negative). The PSA levels have ranged from over 2.0 to the recent 5.3 and 2 wks ago 8.3. The free PSA is 23. At the time of the last PSA test I previously ate at the now infamous Taco Bell and had a short bout of diaharea. Is it possible that the PSA and the free PSA spiked ? The urologist now wants to perform a Transrectal Ultrasound/Biopsy but I am insisting that I go through a week on an antibiotic and then have another PSA test. Am I full of "wishful thinking". I am not overjoyed at the prospect of having a needle thrust through my rectum wall and the into my prostate. I have no existing problem with my rectum and don't like the idea of having it punctured. Is there any other way to get a sample of tissue?
Posted by: carbenex | December 12, 2006 3:18 PM
Initially I used Cardura for around 8 years. For quite some time it worked well, and except for the dizziness experienced when I bent over and then stood up, it was OK.
When it ceased to be effective about 3 years ago, I was put on Flomax, which I still use. Howver, the good effects of Flomax are starting to subside. As a result I went through the various screening tests leading up to a TURP procedure, and was ready to go with it until my primary care physician suggested surgery was not a good idea. I was happy he said to wait, as I read about TURP and decided I didn't want it's side effects.
I've also experienced prostatitis, especially after the needle biopsy, and treated it with Cipro. Currently I am about a 19 on the BPH test scale and living with the symptoms as best I can.
So, I would like to know about TUNA and TUMT, as I'd rather have milder side effects, even if I have to repeat the process after 5-10 years. Are these safe? What should I expect? And, finally, how do I find a doctor here in Medford Oregon I can get one of these procedures from?
Thanks
Posted by: Bruceh201 | January 7, 2007 8:21 PM
http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/prostate_disorders/140-1.html compares TURP with TUNA and TUMT. Note that the relief of BPH symptoms is not immediate with TUNA or TUMT, and often has to be repeated every few years.
Posted by: Jo | April 17, 2008 4:00 PM
Has anyone had any success with having a prostatic balloon dilation procedure done? My urologist is suggesting I try it. I have not had any luck with prostate size reducing medicines at all and he wants to try this procedure. Is is painfull? and the doctor did say the possible things that can go wrong are: possible damage to internal splincter causing urinary incontence, and possible damage that will cause impotence and retrograde ejaculation. Has anyone had any of these side effects with this dilation treatment? Thankyou.
Posted by: backglassreprints | October 23, 2009 10:13 PM
I am a 62 year old man in good health and am considering a prostate procedure utilizing the "Green light" lasor technology. Has anyone had any experience with the Green Light procedure?
Posted by: JoeFitz | January 28, 2010 8:37 AM
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Anxious to get a feed back from Johns Hopkins (haven't heard yet)regarding their pros and cons on the medication Flomax.
Posted by: blackbird | October 14, 2006 12:01 PM