Massachusetts General Hospital

Biography

Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA: A.B. 1978, Biology
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA: M.A. 1983, Biology
Medical School: Case Western Reserve Univ, Cleveland, OH: M.D.: 1983
OB/GYN residency: Univ of Calif at San Diego; 1983-1987

Dr. May Wakamatsu joined Mass General Hospital in 1990 and her practice is in Urogynecology (also known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery). She trained in Urogynecology under the guidance of the late Dr. David Nichols, an author and leader in the field of Urogynecology.

She evaluates and treats patients with bladder control problems, ie, urinary incontinence, and treats pelvic organ prolapse, ie, uterine prolapse, vaginal vault prolapse, anterior vaginal wall prolapse (cystocele) and posterior vaginal wall prolapse (rectocele). She uses non-surgical treatment programs such as pessaries, pelvic floor physical therapy and electrical stimulation for these conditions. If the condition can not be corrected by a non-surgical approach, Dr Wakamatsu will recommend the most appropriate surgical approach: vaginal, laparoscopic and/or robotic assisted surgery.

Dr Wakamatsu is also part of the MGH Female Pelvic Disorder Service which is a multi-disciplinary group made of Urogynecologists, Colo-rectal surgeons, Urologists, Gastroenterologists, and Physiatry. Many patients have problems in multiple organs and our Service is designed to address all of the problems together.

Her offices are at Mass General Hospital Boston, Yawkey Center, suite 4E, and Mass General West in Waltham.

Research

My research interests are in trying to determine ways of preventing pelvic organ prolapse and bladder control problems and in determining the most effective and durable surgical procedures for these conditions.

• Alperin M, Abrahams-Gessel S, Wakamatsu MM. Development of de novo urge incontinence in women post sling: the role of preoperative urodynamics in assessing the risk. Neurourol Urodyn 2008;27(5):407-11.
• Wakamatsu MM. An unspeakable affliction. Newsweek. 2004 May 10;143(19):74,77.
• Wakamatsu MM. What affects bladder function more: menopause or age? Menopause. 2003 May-Jun;10(3);191-2.
• Zarins B. Moncure A, Wakamatsu MM. Management of severe lower abdominal or inguinal pain in high-performance athletes. Am J Sports Med 2000 Jul-Aug;28(4):616-7.
• Veronikis DK, Nichols DH, Wakamatsu MM. The incidence of low-pressure urethra as a function of prolapse-reducing technique in patients with massive pelvic organ prolapse (maximum descent at all vaginal sites). Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997 Dec;177(6):1305-13.

There is life after a pelvic floor disorder

Nearly one-third of American women have one or more pelvic floor disorders such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence or pelvic-organ prolapse. The Pelvic Floor Disorders Service at Mass General offers expert care and helps bring lasting relief to those suffering from a pelvic floor disorder.

Pelvic floor disorders: What you should know

Nearly one in three American women has one or more pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. The Pelvic Floor Disorders Service at Mass General offers a range of non-surgical and surgical options for treatment.

Coordinated care offers freedom from pelvic floor disorders

With the help of coordinated, multidisciplinary care provided by physicians in the MGH Pelvic Floor Disorder Service, 39-year-old patient Nicole Ortuno is once again living a normal, healthy life.