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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms common to lichen sclerosus, make an appointment with your family doctor or general practitioner. After an initial examination, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
Information to gather in advance
- Write down your symptoms and how long you've had them.
- Write down your key medical information, such as other conditions with which you've been diagnosed and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're taking, including vitamins and supplements.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor about possible lichen sclerosus. If any additional questions occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask.
- Do I have lichen sclerosus?
- What treatment approach do you recommend, if any?
- If the first treatment doesn't work, what will you recommend next?
- How much do you expect my symptoms will improve with treatment — and how soon?
- Will I need treatment for this condition for the rest of my life?
- What self-care steps can I follow to ease my symptoms?
- Am I at risk of complications from this condition?
- Is there anything I can do to help prevent a recurrence?
- Is surgery a treatment option in my case?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- What are your symptoms, and when did they begin?
- How severe is your discomfort?
- Have you noticed any bleeding?
- Do your symptoms include pain with urination or bowel movements?
- Do your symptoms include pain with sexual intercourse?
- Have you had any previous injuries to the affected area?
- Have you had prescription treatments for this condition?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions?
- What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements?
- What is lichen sclerosus? http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lichen_Sclerosus/default.asp. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00017-1--s1120&uniq=191177270&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=973564791. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Lichen sclerosus. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191177270-3/973564791/2088/379.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00021-6--s1765_7799. Accessed March 25, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 31, 2010.
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