Female incontinence is a common condition and the first step towards finding relief is to visit your GP.

That is according to Dr Kathryn Simons, from McMurray Ob/Gyn Associates in Pennsylvania, US. Writing in the weekly health column of the Patch newsletter, Dr Simons revealed that incontinence can have broad implications for a woman's quality of life, affecting her physical activity, self-esteem, sexual function and day-to-day life.

She explained that many women find the condition "embarrassing" and "do not feel comfortable speaking with their physicians about their incontinence", while others simply regard adult incontinence as a normal sign of ageing.

Dr Simons advised: "I would encourage women to talk to their physician about their incontinence because it is not something to be embarrassed about, and it is not something that they have to live with. "Depending on the type of incontinence, there are a variety of treatments available that can dramatically improve leakage episodes."

In the meantime, women can rely on a number of specially designed incontinence products for women, such as Tena incontinence pads and incontinence sheets.