Like many issues that are difficult for people to speak openly about, incontinence is something that has much uncertainty that surrounds it. Perhaps it’s this lack of common understanding that leads to sufferers of incontinence mistakenly avoiding treatment or even acknowledging their condition altogether.

It’s perfectly understandable to want to be secretive and avoid bringing the issue to the attention of your local GP or Gynaecologist. Unfortunately it’s often the case that suffers avoid professional help and for several years. Often because they assume that incontinence is something that naturally occurs with age and therefore should be quietly accepted.

Other times because they assume that incontinence is private matter; something that’s not severe enough to consult a doctor over. Another reason that inhibits people to seek help with controlling their incontinence is the fear that their only option may be receiving surgery, which anyone would reasonably look to avoid, since going into surgery is a daunting prospect for most.

These are all - to some extent – myths and distortions of the truth. The problem is many people take them as truths and end up going to great lengths to conceal their incontinence for the wrong reasons, and end up becoming slaves to their condition as a result.

The bad news is that unless action is taken, it’s unlikely to ever improve - the best one can hope for is that it doesn’t worsen.

Incontinence is certainly a difficult and unfortunate thing that can be cruel to those it affects. But here’s the good news: it’s not a disease. Incontinence is very rarely a terminal condition. If you suffer with incontinence, be aware that many, many people have been in your position before and managed to take the necessary steps towards retaining their sense of normality. In some instances, they achieved it in months yet willingly suffered with it for years.

Yes it’s embarrassing. Yes you will have to swallow your pride and talk openly about your continence and receive some form of treatment. But the paradox is that the long-term misery of trying to deal with incontinence in secret is far worse than the short-term embarrassment of getting it resolved.

People who have come through will testify to this and concede that it was only until they made a decision to confront the problem and say "I’ll do whatever it takes to get this handled" that things improved for them.

As unfortunate and difficult as incontinence may be; there aren’t too many medical issues that have the advantage of being relatively curable. And there aren’t many conditions that you can treat in the privacy of your home. For instance, pelvic floor exercises – often used to strengthen the muscles that control the bladder - are internal and can be done without anyone even knowing you’re doing them. Products for managing incontinence (used while you’re in the process of getting it handled) are more discreet and comfortable than commonly assumed.

All in all, with a few courageous steps, a slice of humility and focus; incontinence is not the insurmountable problem it may appear to be.

With action comes resolve, and the first steps are the most difficult. Remember, the journey of a hundred miles starts with a single step.