Urinary incontinence is the inability to control leakage of urine. It's one of those embarrassing problems people don't like to talk about -- even with their doctors. But there is help for incontinence. In most cases the problem is treatable.

Bladder and bowel control are complex processes that involve the brain, spinal cord and muscles of the bladder, bowel and pelvis. Loss of bladder or bowel control can be caused by problems with any of these components.

Several medical problems can cause incontinence, incuding the thinning and drying of women's skin in the vagina or urethra, especially after menopause; men's enlarged prostate glands; and weakened pelvic muscles.

Embarrassment and the belief that incontinence is a normal part of aging prevents most women from getting help, experts say.