in 2006 i consulted a urologist due to some problems i was having (i was 33 years old at the time) : irritated urethra, and dull testicular pain (left testicle). we tried several medications but with no luck. std test came back negative. the urologist ruled out prostate cancer via the touch test (which i've had conducted on several occasions due to a work requirement - in 2004 and 2008 - also negative). also in 2006, an ultrasound of my pelvic and testicle area was conducted and found epididymitis in the left testicle. since then i will occasionally have recurring the dull testicular pain (again left testicle).

in 2011 and again in april 2013 i had full abdominal ultrasounds conducted (to check the status of a different issue - fatty liver - non alchohol related). the 2011 ultrasound found that i had an enlarged prostate measuring 4.6x4.3x4.3 cms (both ultrasounds were done in latin america), with a volume of 47 cc. the ultrasound report concluded i had slight prostate hypertrophy and insignificant residual urine.

in 2013 i had the second ultrasound conducted (again to monitor the fatty liver). this ultrasound found that prostate measured 3.4x4.5x3.6 cm and found 11 percent residual urine (this ultrasound was conducted in latin america as well but at a different clinic and read by a different radiologist - both physicians). the report concluded that i had hypertrophy of the prostate, grade 1 with a weight of 29.7 gr.

(note: both radiologist (2011 and 2013) advised this enlargement was common issue. ALSO, during this period 2012-2013 i started noticing some residual urine. urine stream is fine and i don't have any problems with starting nor frequency. its more like a noticeable amount remains in the urethra beyond several drops of urine. its now 6-8 drops, whereas before it was perhaps 2-4.)

recently (after returning to the u.s. on a semi-permanent basis) i went to see a General Practitioner for an overall health check up. during the visit i mentioned the above (but did not have the specifics in terms of reports or prostate size). i mentioned to the GP that i was experiencing some discomfort in the left testicle area and explained the epididimytis. when i mentioned the 2011-2013 ultrasounds he advised that this was an area requiring further explorations. he conducted a urine test that came back negative for infection and also conducted a touch test of the prostate which he claimed felt normal. he explained that an enlarged prostate for someone my age was unusual (i'm 41 now) and asked whether i wanted a PSA test done. which i said yes as a precaution. he advised that if the psa test came back above 4, we would need to consider a rectal ultrasound and further tests to rule out cancer. the psa blood work is still pending.

at the time the visit didn't concern me, but as i give it more thought i'm getting a bit unsettled. so the questions: experience has taught me that such medical areas are sometimes best left to a specialist such as a urologist? i've read the psa test is a mixed bag and i would hate to get a result that serves only to further confuse the issue. i've read that a benign enlarged prostate can cause the psa test to produce a higher number? given my age, should i be concerned that this condition will worsen? i've read that a benign enlarged prostate (assuming this i my situation) does not increase the chance of future prostate cancer? assuming the prostate measurements in the 2011-2013 tests were accurate, what is the significance that the 2013 ultrasound reflects (what appears to be a) a reduced size (assuming i'm reading this correctly)?

i plan to contact the gp at the earliest opportunity to provide him the specific information from the 2011-2013 ultrasounds to see if this has any bearing on my situation. in the meantime, your service will have to suffice.