Women’s Spotlight: New Doctor Ready to Keep Area Patients Vibrant, Healthy

Simple Treatment for Incontinence Can Benefit Active Community Members

When Eric Feinberg, M.D., and his wife, Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, M.D., moved to Florida a year ago, they were struck by all the activity taking place in an area known for its so-called older, “retirement lifestyle.”

“We are amazed by the vitality of the people who live here,” Dr. Feinberg says. “They’re swinging pickleball paddles, tennis rackets, golf clubs, swimming and boating. What a vibrant community.”

Dr. Feinberg, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with Lee Physician Group, and Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg settled in Fort Myers after 20 years in Gastonia, N.C.

Helping others through medicine runs in the family. His wife specializes in sleep medicine, and the couple’s 23-year-old son and 26-year-old daughter are pursuing medical and physical therapy degrees, respectively, back in North Carolina.

Generations of Care

As for what prompted the Baltimore native to pursue a medical subspecialty in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Feinberg says, “It's probably the only surgical subspecialty that has continuity of care. With other subspecialty healthcare providers, you see them for treatment of say, a broken bone, and after you’re healed, you hope you won’t have to see them again.

"But with obstetrics and gynecology, I’ve had many of the same patients for generations. I’ve delivered the babies of patients who I delivered as babies themselves. It’s a neat thing.”

Dr. Feinberg values longevity. In fact, this month he and his wife celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary. After completing a medical degree at Hahnemann/Drexel University School of Medicine in Philadelphia in 1991, Dr. Feinberg completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in 1995.

A commissioned officer of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Feinberg discovered Florida while assigned at Eglin Air Force Base, on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast during the early '90s.

Sure, he and Dr. Abasi-Feinberg enjoyed raising a family in the mountainous wonders of North Carolina, but now as “empty nesters,” the two wanted to “do something different,” a change that brought them back to the Sunshine State. 

“We both love the water, the beach, and the sun, of course,” says Dr. Feinberg, who also enjoys boating, yoga, cycling, and fishing. He also enjoys – what else as an ex-Philadelphian -- Philly cheesesteaks.

But since moving to our area, he has yet to find that mouth-watering, authentic hoagie roll of thinly sliced beefsteak and melted mozzarella.

But that’s probably okay, he says of his quest, because “I’m trying to eat healthier and searching for cheesesteaks is not the way to do that.”

Treatment for urinary incontinence: Don’t wait to get your life back

Dr. Feinberg stresses that women shouldn’t wait to get evaluated for medical conditions that may be compromising their quality of life.

“One thing I have seen more in my practice here are issues with urinary incontinence,” Dr. Feinberg notes. “The condition can happen at any age, but more likely as we age, especially with stress incontinence.”

Dr. Feinberg explains that stress incontinence occurs when physical movement or activity — such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, running or lifting — puts pressure on the bladder, causing it to leak urine.

Stress incontinence can occur from weakened muscles caused by:

• Childbirth
• Injury to the urethra area
• Some medicines
• Surgery in the pelvic area or the prostate (in men)
• Being overweight
• Unknown causes

Dr. Feinberg says an evaluation will look for clues into what’s causing the urine leakage. Exams typically include:

• Medical history
• Physical exam
• Urine sample
• Brief neurological exam to identify any pelvic nerve problems
• Urinary stress test

There are three types of treatment for stress incontinence, Dr. Feinberg notes. Each will depend on how your symptoms affect your life.

“There’s bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training, and surgery,” he explains. “Lee Physician Group provides outstanding support services, especially in neurology and physical therapy specialties, that can help improve your symptoms.”

If surgery is recommended, Dr. Feinberg says the elective procedure takes all of 30 minutes in an outpatient setting. For more than 20 years he’s performed the procedure, which has an excellent safety and success record. The incisions are almost naked to the human eye and there are no stitches.

“It’s important to know that in most cases, something can be done about your bladder incontinence,” he says. “You can get back to doing the activities you love. I’ve had patients who have been leaking for years and they had no idea their condition could be surgically treated on an outpatient basis.”

Dr. Feinberg specializes in women’s sexual health, including evaluation and treatment of sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor prolapse, pelvic pain, and cosmetic concerns.

Dr. Feinberg is a member of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Institute of America, and International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. He practices at HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Health Coconut Point.