question: Dear Doctors: I came across your website to find out more about Prostatitis or possible prostate issues. I m a 40 year old male, straight, and married. I m in good health and just recently had my physical and my blood and urine tests. All my vitals and levels were good except that in my urine, there was an indication of few bacteria. For a couple of years now, I ve had a feeling that my prostate may be enlarging or something may be wrong. The symptoms I ve been having are as follows (which seem to be classic): 1) General pelvic sensitivity and soreness at times...not always. It comes and goes. 2) Some reduction in urination flow - for some reason I urinate more freely under a hot shower. 3) Some dribbling and stop and go during the end of urination. 4) I have a little lower backbone and back pain occasionally but not always. 5) I have mild pain during ejaculation. 6) There is NO BURNING or PAIN during urination. 7) A couple of times in the past few years, I was awakened by severe aching/pain in the rectum. I told my practitioner about this and he stated that it was due to extremely sensitive nerves in the area that were somehow irritated. But the cause was not given. 8) My body, in the last couple of weeks, has ached a little more than usual. I am still exercising and doing new workouts but I m not sure if that s the reason why. 10) I ve lost weight over the last year. HOWEVER, this has been deliberate as far as I know. I ve worked out very regularly and cut back my portions and modified my types of food I eat (less meats in general, less food in general). I ve tried to gain a little muscle mass but it s not very easy. ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE: 1) I ve come from 162 lbs at my peak in 2005 to 133 lbs now. Until about 4-5 months ago, I was 140-141 lbs but then went down to what I am currently at 133-134lbs. Essentially I ve gone back to what I used to weight when I was 25 years old. The only concern I have about this is that my loss in a few months was far more rapid. Granted, I ve really tried to lose my belly fat...and it s working...but I m hoping it s just a case of me trying and nothing else. 2) I have not lost my appetite but I simply do not eat as much as I used to. 3) I do not smoke. 4) I am a casual drinker. 5) In my family, my father passed away from complications due to diabetes. My mother has mild anxiety and high cholesterol. 6) My sister has thyroid issues and is overweight. 7) My grandmother passed from heart disease and my grandfather from old age. I have an appointment to see a Urologist on May 3rd of this year. I am hoping it s a simple case of Prosatitis and nothing more. Could you give any feedback, suggestions please? I would be very grateful. If you need more information, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.