International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)

Last updated: May 18, 2026

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Today I’m going to show you a well-constructed questionnaire in prostate disease symptom assessment or IPSS International Prostate Symptom Score. Prostate disease is a common medical condition for gentlemen who were more than 50 years of age. This medical condition really affects their quality of life. Urologist must do the entire essential stuff such as history record, physical examine and another proper investigations.

• Urology center Bangkok hospital Thailand Booking online 02-310-3009 bhquro@bdms.co.th
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Name of patient	______________________________________
Date of doing the questionaire	______________________________________
Date of birth	______________________________________

International Prostate Symptom Score questions will ask you about the urinary symptom over the last four weeks. Please try to answer each question honestly and clearly as much as you can.

International prostate symptom score (IPSS)

1. INCOMPLETE EMPTYING. How often have you had sense of inability emptying your bladder?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

2. FREQUENCY. How many times you need to urinate by less than 2 hours?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

3. INTERMITTENCY. How often have you gone on and off several times during urinating?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

4. URGENCY. How often have you felt difficult to hold urination?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

5. WEAK STREAM. How often have you had a weak stream during urinating?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

6. STRAINING. How often have you had to push during urination?

a. Not at all

b. Feeling bad like less than 20%

c. Feeling bad like less than 50%

d. Feel bad about 50%

e. More than 50% felt bad

f. Almost always terrible/Always terrible

7. NOCTURIA. How many times do you typically get up to urinate from sleep?

a. None

b. 1 time

c. 2 times

d. 3 times

e. 4 times

f. 5 times

After complete all 7 questions then we can calculate International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) which divided into 3 severity categories

• 1 – 7 : Mild symptom
• 8 – 19 : Moderate symptom
• 20 – 35 : Severe symptom

QUALITY OF LIFE. 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?

a.	Delightful
b.	Pleasing
c.	More satisfying
d.	Indescribable
e.	Dissatisfying
f.	Unhappy
g.	Terrible

This is all of International prostate symptom score (IPSS). You can visit my official homepage here.

Frequently Asked Questions About IPSS

What is the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)?

The IPSS is a validated 7-question questionnaire used by urologists to assess the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to prostate disease. It evaluates incomplete emptying, urinary frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining, and nocturia over the past four weeks. Scores range from 0 to 35, divided into mild (1–7), moderate (8–19), and severe (20–35) symptom categories. The questionnaire also includes a separate quality-of-life question.

How is the IPSS score interpreted?

Each of the 7 symptom questions is scored from 0 (not at all) to 5 (almost always), giving a maximum total of 35. A score of 1–7 indicates mild symptoms, 8–19 indicates moderate symptoms, and 20–35 indicates severe symptoms. The quality-of-life question is scored separately from 0 (delighted) to 6 (terrible) and helps the urologist understand how much the urinary symptoms are affecting the patient’s daily life and motivating treatment decisions.

Why is the IPSS important for prostate disease management?

The IPSS provides an objective, standardized measurement of urinary symptoms that allows urologists to track disease progression, compare symptom severity before and after treatment, and guide treatment decisions. Men with mild scores may be monitored without treatment, while moderate-to-severe scores typically prompt consideration of medication or procedural intervention. It is a core tool in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

If your IPSS score is in the moderate-to-severe range or your urinary symptoms are affecting your quality of life, Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone offers specialist consultations at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. Book a Consultation.

Disclaimer: This content is written and reviewed by Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone, a board-certified urologist at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any medical treatment.