What does your score mean?

Your score gives you an idea of how bad your symptoms are. It will fall into one of these ranges:

• Mild (0 to 7)
• Moderate (8 to 19)
• Severe (20 to 35)

By itself, your score does not mean that you do or do not need treatment. But it is a useful way for you and your doctor to look at and talk about your symptoms and watch them over time.

Men differ in how bothered they are by urination problems. One man may not be troubled by his symptoms at all, and another man-with the same score-may feel that his symptoms are having a big impact on his life.

What's next?

BPH can be a bother, but it is usually not a serious health problem. If you are concerned about your symptoms, talk to your doctor about your options. They may include:

• Small changes to your lifestyle and urination habits, plus regular checkups to make sure that the problem is not changing or getting worse.
• Medicines to help reduce your symptoms.
• Surgery to help correct the problem and reduce your symptoms.

The main thing that helps you decide if and how to treat your symptoms is how much the symptoms bother you, not what your score is. To learn more, see these topics:

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine?
• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?

Source: Roehrborn CG, et al. (2003, updated 2006). Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Available online: http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph.