BPH symptoms are classically divided into bladder emptying (voiding) and bladder storage symptoms.
The severity of the symptoms directs the need for treatment. It is important to contact your physician to evaluate your symptoms.

Bladder emptying (voiding) or obstructive symptoms

• Weak stream
• Difficulty beginning urination (‘hesitancy’)
• Weak, dribbling stream (‘intermittency’)
• Need to strain or push on bladder to urinate (‘straining’)
• Feeling that your bladder never empties completely (‘post-voiding residual’)

Bladder storage or irritative symptoms

• Frequent need to urinate (‘frequency’)
• Sudden need to urinate (‘urgency’)
• Interrupted sleep to urinate at night (‘nocturia’)
• Pain or burning sensation during urination (‘dysuria’)
• Inability to delay voiding after perceiving that the bladder is full (‘urge incontinence’)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from the common disorder called BPH. Your physician can rapidly evaluate the severity of your symptoms by using one of the various symptom scores that have been developed to quantify the subjective symptoms associated with BPH. Specific symptoms are graded and a total score is calculated reflecting the severity of the symptoms. Treatment decisions are largely based on this score. The most commonly used symptom score is the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The IPSS is used to evaluate the severity of the symptoms. To correctly diagnose BPH, you need to consult your physician.