The Prostate Institute - BPH Symptoms

Common Symptoms of BPH

If you are experiencing any one of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from a common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):

Frequent need to urinate
Sudden need to urinate
Interrupted sleep to urinate at night
Weak, variable, or dribbling stream
Need to strain or push bladder to urinate
Difficulty beginning urination
Feeling that your bladder never completely empties
Pain or burning during urination

If you are experiencing urinary discomfort, it is important to contact your physician to evaluate your symptoms. If left untreated, BPH can lead to other serious medical conditions including urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence. When BPH is diagnosed and treated early, there is a lower risk of developing such complications.

Diagnosing BPH

The American Urological Association (AUA) has adopted a symptom index to assist physicians in diagnosing the severity of BPH. Your physician will perform a series of tests to diagnose your condition and recommend a treatment plan. The most common tests include:

Rectal Exam: The doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum in order to determine the size and condition of the prostate.
Ultrasound: In order to rule out the possibility of cancer, your doctor may recommend a rectal ultrasound. A probe is inserted into the rectum which creates sound waves and forms an image of the prostate on a display screen.
Urine Flow Study: The patient is asked to urinate into a device which measures urine flow rates. A slow flow may suggest BPH.
Cystoscopy: The doctor inserts a small tube through the opening of the penis which allows the doctor to view the urethra and bladder and evaluate any obstruction.

AUA Symptom Score Index

Fill out the form below to evaluate your BPH symptoms:

Symptoms over the past month	Not at all	Less than 1 time in 5	Less than half the time	About half the time	More than half the time	Almost always	Score
Sensation of not emptying the bladder completely after urinating	0	1	2	3	4	5
Had to urinate within two hours of a previous urination	0	1	2	3	4	5
Needed to stop and start again several times while urinating	0	1	2	3	4	5
Found it difficult to postpone urination	0	1	2	3	4	5
Had a weak urinary stream	0	1	2	3	4	5
Needed to strain to urinate	0	1	2	3	4	5
Number of times needed to urinate during bedtime at night	0	1	2	3	4	5

Your AUA Symptom Score is:

0 - 7 = mild symptoms

8 - 19 = moderate

20 - 35 = severe

If your score is 9 or higher, you may want to discuss treatment options with your urologist.

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