It should come as no surprise that bladder control is a topic very few people want to discuss with their physicians. Perhaps more surprising is the reality that many doctors would also prefer not to talk about urinary incontinence (UI). While patients suffering in silence anxiously wait for their doctors to bring up the topic, some doctors remain committed to a "Don't ask ­ Don't tell" mentality. Unfortunately, this lack of communication can lead to more serious medical and psychosocial problems.

More than fifty percent of the general female population has some form of urinary incontinence. Women are more commonly afflicted than men but male incidence increases with age and is more of a problem than most people are aware.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that one in four women, ages 30 to 59, has experienced urinary incontinence. If this percentage stays constant, the number of cases will rise dramatically as baby boomers age. Incontinence, which usually can be cured or improved, causes unnecessary social isolation, expense and secondary medical conditions.

An estimated $11.2 billion is spent in the United States caring for patients with urinary incontinence who do not live in nursing homes. Most of this money is spent on personal hygiene items such as absorbent pads instead of treatment. Additionally, more than 50 percent of all nursing home admissions result from incontinence and these admissions cost billions of dollars for families and medical assistance programs.