The LUTS medical abbreviation stands for lower urinary tract symptoms, a group term for problems with storing or passing urine, such as going often, sudden urges, waking at night to urinate, a weak stream or a feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied. It appears in urology, primary care, gynecology and geriatric notes.
LUTS describes symptoms, not a cause. In men it is often linked to an enlarged prostate, while in women overactive bladder and pelvic floor changes are common reasons, and infections or nerve conditions can cause it in anyone. This page explains how clinicians group the symptoms, how to read a LUTS note and the questions worth bringing to a visit.
At a glance
Stands for
Lower urinary tract symptomsSymptom groups
Storage, voiding and after voiding symptomsCommon causes
Scoring tool
IPSS, a symptom score from 0 to 35Used in
Urology, primary care, gynecology, geriatricsWritten as
LUTS, lower urinary tract sx, male LUTS
How the LUTS medical abbreviation groups symptoms
Clinicians sort lower urinary tract symptoms into three groups, because each points toward different causes.
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Storage | Frequency, urgency, waking at night to urinate (nocturia), leaking |
| Voiding | Weak stream, hesitancy, straining, a stream that stops and starts |
| After voiding | Feeling of incomplete emptying, dribbling after finishing |
Storage symptoms often relate to an overactive or irritated bladder, while voiding symptoms more often suggest something narrowing the outflow, such as an enlarged prostate or a urethral stricture.
Reading a urology note
| Piece | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 68 yo M | A 68 year old man |
| LUTS | Lower urinary tract symptoms |
| IPSS 18 | Symptom score in the moderate range |
| PVR 120 mL | About 120 mL of urine left in the bladder after voiding |
| likely BPH | Enlarged prostate suspected as the cause |
Primary care note: "Female, 55, mixed LUTS with urgency and stress leakage, UA negative, bladder diary given." She has both urge and stress symptoms, a urine test showed no infection, and she will record her fluid intake and bathroom trips for a few days.
The IPSS symptom score
The International Prostate Symptom Score asks seven questions about the past month, each scored from 0 to 5, for a total of 0 to 35. Totals are commonly grouped as mild at 0 to 7, moderate at 8 to 19 and severe at 20 to 35. An eighth question asks how the person feels about living with their symptoms. Despite the name, versions of the questionnaire are also used to describe symptoms in women.
The score helps track change over time and after treatment. It measures how bothersome the symptoms are, not the size of the prostate or the cause.
Common causes and checks
In men over about 50, prostate enlargement is a frequent driver. Other causes include overactive bladder, urinary tract infection, prostatitis, bladder stones, nerve conditions such as Parkinson disease or stroke, diabetes, constipation, and medicines like diuretics or some cold remedies. Drinking a lot late in the day, caffeine and alcohol can make storage symptoms worse.
Typical first checks include a urinalysis, a post void residual measurement, a bladder diary and an exam. A PSA test is discussed with some men. Uroflowmetry, which measures the strength of the stream, and cystoscopy are reserved for selected cases.
Questions to ask at the appointment
- Are my symptoms mainly storage, voiding or both?
- Could any of my medicines or drinks be contributing?
- Do I need a urine test, a bladder scan or a PSA discussion?
- Which changes, such as blood in the urine or being unable to pass urine, need urgent care?
Frequently asked questions
What does LUTS stand for?
LUTS stands for lower urinary tract symptoms. It covers problems with storing urine, passing urine and the feeling after urinating.
Is LUTS the same as BPH?
No. LUTS describes symptoms, while BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, is one possible cause in men. A person can have LUTS without BPH, and some men with an enlarged prostate have few symptoms.
Can women have LUTS?
Yes. Women commonly have storage symptoms from overactive bladder, as well as leakage linked to pelvic floor changes. Infections and other conditions can also cause LUTS in women.
What is a normal IPSS score?
A score of 0 to 7 is generally described as mild symptoms. Scores of 8 to 19 are moderate and 20 to 35 are severe.