IPSS prostate symptom score explained

IPSS: the prostate symptom score

The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a short questionnaire about urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate (BPH). Seven questions are each scored from 0 to 5, for a total from 0 to 35¹. A total of 0 to 7 counts as mild, 8 to 19 as moderate, and 20 to 35 as severe¹.

A plain-language definition from the ProcedurePath glossary.

Written and reviewed by Varun Danda, MD, interventional radiology resident physician · Last reviewed October 25, 2026

What it asks

Over the past month, how often did you feel your bladder was not empty, need to go again within 2 hours, stop and start while urinating, find it hard to wait, have a weak stream, or need to push or strain? The seventh question asks how many times you got up at night to urinate¹.

A separate question asks how you would feel if your symptoms stayed the same for the rest of your life¹.

How doctors use it

The score shows how much your symptoms bother you and how they change after treatment. Studies of BPH treatments, including prostate artery embolization (PAE), often report results as a change in IPSS.

Read more: Questions to ask before PAE

Common question

What is a good IPSS score?

A lower score means fewer symptoms. A total of 0 to 7 counts as mild¹. Ask your doctor what your score means for you.

Talk with your doctor before you decide. This information does not replace personal medical advice. Read the medical disclaimer.

Sources

HealthLinkBC, International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) ↩︎