IPSS Score: Understanding and Interpreting Your Prostate Symptoms
Complete guide to the IPSS questionnaire: 7 questions, interpretation of the score, link with the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
The IPSS questionnaire is systematically completed before and after prostatic embolization at Cochin AP-HP. It makes it possible to objectively measure symptoms, assess their severity, guide the therapeutic indication and measure the benefit of treatment at 3 and 12 months.
Quick answer
The IPSS score assesses the severity of urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia, using 7 questions scored from 0 to 5 (total score out of 35). It helps quantify the bother experienced and guide the treatment decision with your doctor.
The 7 IPSS questions
Each question is scored from 0 (never) to 5 (almost always). The sum gives a score from 0 to 35.
- Over the past month, how often have you had the sensation of not having completely emptied your bladder after urinating?
- Have you had to urinate again less than 2 hours after urinating?
- Have you had an interruption in your urination, then had to stop and start again?
- Have you had difficulty holding back from urinating?
- Have you had a weak urinary stream?
- Have you had to push or strain to start urinating?
- On average, how many times per night have you had to get up to urinate? (nocturia, scored from 0 to 5)
| IPSS score | Interpretation | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 7 | Mild symptoms | Surveillance + lifestyle advice |
| 8 - 19 | Moderate symptoms | Medical treatment or PAE |
| 20 - 35 | Severe symptoms | PAE or surgery (TURP, laser) |
In addition to the 7 questions, the IPSS includes a quality-of-life question: "If you were to spend the rest of your life with your current urinary symptoms, how would you feel?" Scored from 0 (delighted) to 6 (terrible). This question is often more informative than the raw score for guiding the treatment decision.
Frequently asked questions
From what IPSS score should treatment be considered?
Can the IPSS improve on its own without treatment?
Does the IPSS also measure sexual function?
IPSS results, technique and follow-up of prostatic embolization.
Related pages
Scientific references
Pisco JM, Pinheiro LC, Bilhim T, Duarte M, Rio Tinto H, Fernandes L, Vaz Santos V, Oliveira AG. Radiology 2013;266(2):668-677.
Barat M, Jannot AS, Dohan A, Soyer P. Diagn Interv Imaging 2022;103:571-573.
Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by a radiologist of the department. Last updated: July 2026.