OBJECTIVE: To collect data on symptoms of bladder dysfunction in a large German population sample of patients visiting primary care doctors, urologists or gynecologists for any medical reason. METHODS: During a total study period of approximately four months, a total of 2,662 practices of primary care physicians, urologists and gynecologists asked their visiting patients to fill out a simple questionnaire consisting of four questions related to symptoms of bladder dysfunction. The physicians were asked to discuss the answers with their patients during the same visit and to make a diagnosis. Based upon the diagnosis, they were asked whether pharmacotherapy would be initiated or the patient would be referred to a specialist. RESULTS: Data of 198,230 patients were available for analysis. Overall, 22.4% reported symptoms attributable to mixed and 8% to stress incontinence; 43.7% had no symptoms of bladder dysfunction. The prevalence of symptoms attributable to overactive bladder was 25.9%, with the most commonly reported symptoms being frequency (41.9%), followed by urgency (24.3%) and urge incontinence (20.2%). Doctors’ awareness of symptoms was rather poor. Drugs for the treatment of the symptoms of the overactive bladder were prescribed by about 80% of the urologists; however, only 40 to 45% of the gynecologists and the primary care doctors considered this option. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a growing elderly population and the impact on the individual quality of life as well as the social system, further educational efforts seem necessary to increase awareness for this problem in the medical community.