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In diagnosing your lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), your urologist may evaluate your condition by performing some diagnostic tests. Your urologist will determine which tests to perform based on your symptoms and other health conditions. You may not need all the tests described.

IPSS Questionnaire

The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a short questionnaire to assess urinary symptoms. This is often the first step to diagnose BPH. It is also known as the American Urological Association - Symptom Index (AUA-SI) as it was developed by the AUA. Your overall symptom score will be calculated from your answers, which fall into one of three categories: Mild (symptom score of 0–7), Moderate (symptom score of 8–19), Severe (symptom score of 20–35). Your score will help your doctor determine which treatment options to discuss with you.

Digital Rectal Exam

Your urologist inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. This test is one way to evaluate for prostate cancer but can also give the urologist an estimate of the size of your prostate. Prostate cancers can sometimes be detected as lumps or bumps on the prostate. Although a bit uncomfortable, this exam is usually brief and an important way to identify problems.¹

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test

The PSA blood test checks the level of PSA, a protein exclusively produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood may sometimes be an indicator of prostate cancer. However, BPH can also increase PSA levels, so determining what a high PSA score means typically requires additional tests. Your urologist will help you interpret your PSA test results.¹

Uroflowmetry

This test measures how fast your urine flows. During this test, you urinate into a container and the amount of flow is measured. This helps the urologist understand the strength of your urine stream.¹

Cystoscopy

Based on a recent study³:

• 63% of men surveyed had never heard of a cystoscopy
• 84% of men surveyed were willing to have a cystoscopy done after understanding how it could help determine the cause of their symptoms and the best treatment options.

Your urologist inserts a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end through the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis. The camera enables your urologist to see the prostate, urethra, and bladder. This procedure is common and typically requires only local anesthesia. By looking through the cystoscope, the urologist can determine the location and degree of the urine blockage. It is an important step in the evaluation of your BPH as it enables your urologist to visualize your prostate anatomy, which helps to determine the best treatment options for you.²

Transrectal Ultrasound

An ultrasound probe is used to capture images of your prostate. The ultrasound probe is inserted through the rectum to examine the prostate. The images from the ultrasound help determine the size and anatomy of your prostate. Knowing the size of your prostate will help your urologist personalize your BPH treatment options.²

If you’ve been diagnosed with BPH after testing, understanding the condition will be helpful. Learn more about BPH here and how you can move forward with your care.