It primarily affects the vulva. Fewer than 1 in 20 women who have vulvar lichen sclerosus have the disease on other skin surfaces. The disease is much less common in childhood. In boys, it is a major cause of tightening of the foreskin, which requires circumcision. Otherwise, it is very uncommon in men.
Symptoms vary depending on the area affected.
Patients experience very different degrees of discomfort. When lichen sclerosus occurs on parts of the body other than the genital area, most often there are no symptoms, other than itching. If the disease is severe, bleeding, tearing, and blistering caused by rubbing or bumping the skin can cause pain. Very mild lichen sclerosus of the genital area may cause itching, but often causes no symptoms at all. If the disease worsens, itching is the most common symptom.