BPH Medication Discussion Prep

A self-assessment and tracking tool to help you understand your symptoms, organize your thoughts, and prepare more productive conversations with your clinician about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and potential medications. All calculations run offline in your browser.

Educational tool only. Not medical advice. Does not recommend treatments.

Symptom Score & Log

Track your symptoms using the standard International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questions. This helps quantify symptom severity over time.

1. Incomplete emptying: Over the past month, how often have you had a sensation of not emptying your bladder completely after you finished urinating?

[In a full version, 7 IPSS questions and 1 quality of life question would appear here.]

Add a Log Entry

Date

PSA (ng/mL) Optional

Current Symptom Score & Summary

Total IPSS (0-35): 0

No Symptoms

Your score suggests no significant BPH symptoms.

Log Entries: 0

Average PSA (logged): - ng/mL

Discussion Prep Checklist

Check items you want to discuss. Use the summary below to organize your questions.

Current symptom impact on daily life (sleep, activities, travel) Review of current medications & potential interactions Understanding different medication classes (alpha-blockers, 5-ARIs, etc.) Expected timeline for symptom improvement Possible side effects and how to manage them When to consider further tests or specialist referral

Your Checked Items Summary:

No items selected yet.

Understanding BPH & Preparing for Your Visit

Tracking symptoms and preparing questions can make your clinical visit more efficient and focused. This tool helps you organize objective data (like symptom scores) and subjective concerns.

How to Use This Tool

Complete the IPSS questions honestly, reflecting your experience over the last month.
Log key data points over time (like PSA values from lab reports) to see trends.
Use the checklist to mark topics important to you. The summary helps you remember what to ask.
Bring your results and summary to your appointment to guide the conversation.

Example Scenarios

Newly diagnosed, mild symptoms (IPSS 8): Focus checklist on understanding medication options, side effects, and whether to start treatment now or monitor.
On medication, persistent symptoms (IPSS 18): Log your scores and PSA. Use checklist to discuss medication efficacy, dose adjustments, or next-line options.
Considering procedure/surgery: Track symptom severity and impact. Checklist items should cover procedural risks, benefits, recovery, and long-term outcomes.

IPSS Total Score	Symptom Severity Category	Typical Clinical Consideration*
0-7	Mild	Watchful waiting, lifestyle advice
8-19	Moderate	Discussion of medication options
20-35	Severe	Strong consideration for medication or procedures

IPSS Total Score

Symptom Severity Category

Typical Clinical Consideration*

0-7

Mild

Watchful waiting, lifestyle advice

8-19

Moderate

Discussion of medication options

20-35

Severe

Strong consideration for medication or procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IPSS score a diagnosis?

No. The IPSS is a standardized questionnaire to quantify symptom severity. A diagnosis of BPH requires a clinical evaluation including a physical exam and possibly other tests.

How often should I track my symptoms?

For active monitoring, once a month is reasonable. If starting a new medication, you might track weekly for the first month to see trends. Don't over-measure – focus on broader patterns.

What if my PSA is high?

PSA can be elevated due to BPH, infection, or other causes. An elevated PSA requires professional interpretation in the context of your age, prostate size, and other risk factors. Discuss any concerning result with your clinician.

When should I seek immediate medical care?

If you experience inability to urinate (acute urinary retention), severe pain, blood in urine, or fever with urinary symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.

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BPH Medication Discussion Prep

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