Symptoms in men and boys

In men and boys,lichen sclerosus tends to develop on the foreskin and end of the penis. The skin around the anus is rarely affected.

Symptoms can include:

  • sore or sometimes itchy white patches on the penis, particularly around the tip, but sometimes on the shaft
  • the skinat the tip of the penis becoming firm and white
  • difficulty pulling the foreskin back, which can make peeing difficult and lead to painfulerections if left untreated

For both men and women, it's often easy for a doctor to diagnose lichen sclerosus by asking about your symptoms and examining your skin. However, in some cases, a very simple procedure known as a biopsy , where a skin sample is taken for analysis, may be needed to help make the diagnosis.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018