While some children like playing with blocks or dolls, Lauren Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, remembers loving the game operation. “I’ve wanted to be a physician since I was a little girl, not only because I wanted to help people, but also because I was addicted to operation as a child,” says Dr. Eisenberg.
From a young age, Dr. Eisenberg found herself interested in all things medical. She recalls one day when her younger brother fell and badly cut his leg. Rather than turning away as most children would do, her first instinct was help her brother and discover the best course of action for the wound.
Even into high school, Dr. Eisenberg was drawn to the sciences. “I am one of those people who always has to be doing something with my hands; that’s why surgery is perfect for me,” She explains. “I was always a chemistry, math and science nerd. All that stuff just fascinated me which eventually led me to science, biology, and then medicine.”
Today, Dr. Eisenberg is living her childhood dream as a wife, mother of three, and El Paso’s only female Urologist.
Serving both Men and Women with Expert Urologic Care
The patients are the best part of the job for Dr. Eisenberg, and she enjoys the good relationships she builds with them over time.
“The patients are my favorite part,” Dr. Eisenberg states. “Most have a great sense of humor because you’re dealing with their urine. The ladies are very sweet and the men are funny. Urology patients tend to be a little bit more laid back which is really nice.”
Since there are very few female practitioners in the field of urology, Dr. Eisenberg sees many women who feel more comfortable with a female provider.
At the same time, some men also feel most comfortable working with a female provider, and Dr. Eisenberg specializes in many conditions that only affect men. “It’s surprising how many men want to talk to a female about sexual dysfunction,” says Dr. Eisenberg. “They think a woman is going to listen more than a man is going to. And a lot of men who switch over find me to be very detail-oriented.”
Solving difficult cases is exciting and challenging, but the best part for Dr. Eisenberg is taking care of her patients.
A Mind/Body Approach to Urologic Patient Care
Dr. Eisenberg is a trained doctor of osteopathy, which means she has additional training in how the body functions and how all the body systems work together. DO’s also treat the whole person, mind and body.
“With all my patients, I do try to see not only what is physically wrong with them, but also how it is affecting them emotionally,” explains Dr. Eisenberg. “So my philosophy is not to just focus on the physical, but take the whole person into consideration.”
The Search for Better Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections
One of the most challenging parts of Dr. Eisenberg’s practice is searching for new treatments and care options for women suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections.
“There are some things we just can’t solve yet,” explains Dr. Eisenberg. “I see a lot of women with recurrent UTIs, and unfortunately, over 50 percent of the time you never find out why they are having recurrent UTIs. It’s devastating to them and there isn’t an effective course of treatment. So I think those patients are the biggest challenge. I feel bad for them because I want to help but we don’t have all the tools to do it today.”
Offering New Treatment Options for the Troubling Peyronie’s Disease
Dr. Eisenberg also treats a difficult condition called Peyronie’s Disease.
“Peyronie’s Disease is a curvature of the penis; a lot of times it’s associated with a trauma,” states Dr. Eisenberg. “After a trauma, when you heal, instead of your penis being straight, now it is curved. And in some people, it can be so bad that it is curved 180 degrees, bent all away to their belly button or all the way down so they can’t penetrate anymore.”
These cases are extremely painful for the patient, and most urologists are not specially trained in the treatment of the disorder. Having previously trained with Dr.Chirpriya Dhabuwala, who has done a great deal of research in this condition, Dr. Eisenberg brings this expertise with her to Rio Grande Urology.
A Word to the Wise for Urologic Health
All patients are unique, and Dr. Eisenberg seeks to individualize care to each patient’s needs. However, she does have one general bit of advice for all of her patients:
“Don’t wait, don’t be embarrassed. We are here to help you. There is nothing we haven’t heard before.”
Dr. Eisenberg is currently accepting new patients at Rio Grande Urology’s West Side location at 7420 Remcon Cir Building A. Call 915-225-2020 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Eisenberg.
