What should you know about ectopic pregnancy left untreated?

In an ectopic pregnancy, the pregnancy implants outside the womb, most often in a fallopian tube. The tube cannot stretch like the womb. As the pregnancy grows, the tube may tear, causing bleeding inside the abdomen. Blood loss can lead to weakness, fainting, shock, and collapse. Early symptoms may include one-sided pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding, although symptoms can vary. Read more about [Ectopic Pregnancy](/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/) and [Pelvic Pain](/symptoms/pelvic-pain/).

The risk is not judged by pain alone. A person can become seriously unwell even when symptoms seemed mild earlier. A previous pelvic infection such as [Pelvic Inflammatory Disease](/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/) can affect the fallopian tubes and is one factor clinicians may ask about.

If pregnancy is possible and you have pain or bleeding, contact a maternity or emergency service promptly. Clinicians may use pregnancy hormone blood tests, an examination, and a [Transvaginal Ultrasound](/treatments/diagnostics-and-imaging/transvaginal-ultrasound/) to locate the pregnancy and check for bleeding. Treatment may involve medicine, monitoring in carefully selected situations, or surgery. A [Salpingectomy](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/salpingectomy/) removes an affected fallopian tube when surgery is needed.

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department for sudden or severe abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, fainting, marked weakness, confusion, heavy vaginal bleeding, or a fast heartbeat. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. These signs can indicate internal bleeding and need immediate treatment.

Ask where the pregnancy appears to be, whether there is internal bleeding, which treatment is safest for you, and what follow-up tests are needed. You can also ask how treatment may affect the other fallopian tube and when future pregnancy planning can be discussed.