IT is a sensitive subject many just accept as a natural part of getting older.

While women are more likely to discuss their health problems with friends, some issues remain more taboo than others.

Incontinence is the second biggest cause, after dementia, of elderly women being admitted to care homes. But the problem doesn't just affect older women; it can happen to younger women who are obese or have had a baby - and the effects can be psychological as well as physical.

Continence problems, of which bladder weakness is the most common, affect many women but very few actually see their GP or talk to anyone about this as they think it's 'just one of those things' that are a natural part of getting older.

Now the local NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) want to encourage women in Bradford and district to seek help for their continence problems instead of feeling too embarrassed to talk about it.

They are keen for women to know there is a range of help available for this common problem which, without treatment can seriously affect their enjoyment and quality of life.

Dr Anne Connolly, the CCG's clinical lead for women's health, said: "The first and most important point to remember is that everyone with a bladder problem can be helped and many can be completely cured. It's never too late to get help with your bladder problems. As we are all living longer this is going to be an even more common problem, so it's important to get help as early as possible,

"We need to make sure embarrassment is never a barrier to better health. Women, of whatever age, shouldn't just tolerate this problem; we want them to come forward and get the help they need. The earlier women discuss incontinence with their doctor, the better."

The CCGs have a strong focus on improving women's health, and many of their local initiatives - including re-launching the continence pathway, with a multi-disciplinary team working across the area to provide women with better care - mirror the chief medical officer's national recommendations.

In her latest annual report, Health of the 51%: women, chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies makes recommendations on a wide range of health issues, especially obesity, ovarian cancer and 'taboo problems' such as incontinence and the menopause.

Problems 'below the waist' are not generally seen as attractive topics for public discussion, and women are often reluctant to seek help for common disabling conditions.

The good news is that 70 per cent of women with incontinence problems can be treated without needing medical intervention. Nurse advice, self-help tips for diet and exercise, and physiotherapy can often result in a dramatic improvement in the problem and a woman's wellbeing.

For those women who do need further treatment, various surgical procedures are available at hospitals in the district and waiting times are short.

Patients should always talk to their GP to see which treatments and procedures are suitable for their condition, and referrals, including for bowel problems, can be made if appropriate.

GPs will first need to rule out any conditions causing similar symptoms such as diabetes and urine infections.

Urinary and bowel incontinence affects more than five million women in the UK and, along with prolapse, costs the NHS more than £200m a year in treatment and support.

Gillian Nottidge, continence specialist nurse and one of the team leaders covering Bradford, Airedale and Craven, says their service deal with around 900 referrals a year mainly through the local GPs and district nurses but they also take referrals from hospitals and consultants.

She says while incontinence tends to be more prevalent in women, it can affect men too and one of the main reasons for not seeking medical advice can be embarrassment.

Gillian explains for some, incontinence issues can impact significantly on their quality of life. Some become housebound through fear of having an accident in public, but Gillian says helps is at hand.

And she says it isn't just about supplying pads; they look at the lifestyle, diet and exercise.

"It can make a difference between somebody who daren't go out of the house to somebody who can have a life again," says Gillian.