How long can an ulcer last if untreated?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 1 in 10 people will develop a peptic ulcer at some point in their lifetime. Yet many people ignore the signs, leading them to question: how long can an ulcer last if untreated? The answer is not a simple timeframe, as an untreated ulcer can persist indefinitely, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

Quick Summary

An untreated ulcer can last indefinitely, with fluctuating symptoms that can worsen over time. Without proper medical intervention to address the root cause, an ulcer can lead to serious complications like internal bleeding, perforation, or obstruction.

Key Points

Indefinite Duration: An untreated ulcer won't heal on a set timeline and is likely to persist or recur, with symptoms that may fluctuate.
Escalating Risks: Leaving an ulcer untreated significantly increases the risk of severe, life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding, perforation, and obstruction.
Underlying Cause Persists: Without specific treatment, the root cause (e.g., H. pylori infection or NSAID use) continues to damage the digestive lining.
Hidden Dangers: Many ulcers are "silent" and don't cause obvious symptoms until a serious complication, like bleeding, occurs.
Seeking Treatment is Crucial: While some ulcers may temporarily seem to improve, professional medical diagnosis and treatment are the only way to ensure the ulcer fully heals and does not lead to severe health consequences.

What is a peptic ulcer?

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum), or, rarely, the esophagus. The protective mucus lining of the digestive tract is normally a strong defense against corrosive digestive acids. However, when this lining is eroded, the acid can create painful sores.

Common Causes of Ulcers

There are two primary culprits responsible for most peptic ulcers:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A common type of bacteria that can live in the digestive tract and is often passed from person to person. It can inflame the stomach lining, leading to ulcer formation.
Long-term use of NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin can irritate and erode the stomach and intestinal lining, making it vulnerable to acid damage. This risk is especially high with long-term or high-dose use.

The untreated ulcer timeline

Unlike a simple cut or scrape that heals on its own, an untreated peptic ulcer is a continuous battle between your body's defenses and corrosive digestive acids. The timeline for an untreated ulcer is not a fixed number of days or weeks, but rather a persistent and escalating health risk. While a small, superficial ulcer might occasionally seem to improve on its own if the cause (like temporary NSAID use) is removed, it is far more common for symptoms to return or worsen. Without addressing the underlying issue, the ulcer's duration is indefinite and its progression is unpredictable.

Comparison: Treated vs. Untreated Ulcers

To understand the gravity of leaving an ulcer untreated, it is helpful to compare the two paths.


Feature	Medically Treated Ulcer	Untreated Ulcer
Duration	Heals in 4-12 weeks with medication	Indefinite; can last for months or years
Symptom Course	Symptoms subside within days/weeks	Symptoms may fluctuate but return or worsen
Healing Process	Medications reduce acid, protect the lining, or kill bacteria, allowing healing	Continued acid erosion and inflammation
Key Risks	Low risk of recurrence or severe complications with adherence to treatment	High risk of serious complications, including bleeding, perforation, or obstruction
Underlying Cause	Addressed with antibiotics (for H. pylori) or cessation of NSAIDs	Persists, leading to continued erosion

What happens when an ulcer is left untreated?

Ignoring an ulcer is a dangerous gamble. The mild, intermittent pain can escalate into serious, life-threatening complications. The continued erosion of the digestive lining by acid can lead to several dangerous outcomes.

1. Internal Bleeding

This is the most common complication of untreated ulcers. The bleeding can occur in two ways:

Slow, Chronic Bleeding: The ulcer erodes into a small blood vessel, causing slow, continuous blood loss. This can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, causing fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath over time.
Rapid, Severe Bleeding: The ulcer erodes into a larger blood vessel, causing a more significant hemorrhage. This is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. Symptoms include vomiting blood (which may look like coffee grounds) and passing black, tarry stools.

2. Perforation

An ulcer can erode completely through the wall of the stomach or duodenum, creating a hole. This is called a perforation. Stomach contents, including acid and bacteria, can leak into the abdominal cavity, causing a widespread infection of the abdominal lining (peritonitis). This is a critical medical emergency requiring immediate surgery. Signs include sudden, severe abdominal pain, a rigid abdomen, and potential symptoms of shock.

3. Obstruction

Chronic inflammation and scarring from an ulcer can cause the opening between the stomach and the small intestine to narrow or close. This blockage, known as a gastric outlet obstruction, prevents food from passing through, leading to nausea, vomiting of undigested food, a feeling of fullness, and unexplained weight loss.

The mirage of natural healing

Some people may experience a temporary disappearance of symptoms and believe their ulcer has healed on its own. This is a common and dangerous misconception. In many cases, the symptoms simply go into remission for a period. The underlying cause has not been treated, and the ulcer remains or will inevitably return. The digestive lining, once damaged, remains vulnerable. This pattern of remission and relapse gives the illusion of healing while the risk of severe complications continues to grow unseen.

When to seek urgent medical attention

Any suspected ulcer warrants a doctor's visit, but certain symptoms require immediate emergency care. If you experience any of the following, seek medical help immediately:

Sudden, sharp, or severe abdominal pain
Vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds
Black, tarry, or bloody stools
Severe weakness, dizziness, or fainting
A rigid, tender abdomen

The importance of professional diagnosis and treatment

Only a medical professional can determine the cause of an ulcer and prescribe the correct treatment. Treatment often involves a combination of medication, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce stomach acid and antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori. While home remedies and dietary adjustments can help manage symptoms, they do not cure the underlying condition. Delaying proper medical care can transform a curable condition into a potentially fatal one.

For more detailed information on the causes and proper treatment of peptic ulcers, it is recommended to consult a reliable medical resource like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Conclusion: Don't wait for the worst-case scenario

Answering the question of how long can an ulcer last if untreated? is impossible because it can persist indefinitely, with escalating risks. While the pain might ebb and flow, the danger remains. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential for healing and preventing life-threatening complications. If you suspect you have an ulcer, seeking prompt medical attention is the only safe and responsible course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

In very rare cases, a small, superficial ulcer might heal, but this is not common. In most instances, the symptoms will return or worsen without medical treatment. The underlying cause will likely still be present, leading to future recurrence and potential complications.

The biggest risks include internal bleeding (both slow and severe), perforation (a hole in the stomach or intestinal wall), and obstruction (a blockage preventing food from passing through). These are serious medical emergencies.

Yes, many ulcers, known as "silent ulcers," cause no noticeable symptoms. The first indication of their presence may be when a serious complication, such as bleeding or perforation, develops.

A gastric ulcer is an open sore in the stomach lining, while a duodenal ulcer is located in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. They are both types of peptic ulcers but can have slightly different symptoms and treatment approaches depending on their location.

While some home remedies or dietary changes might help soothe symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause of the ulcer, such as an H. pylori infection. They are not a substitute for proper medical treatment, which is necessary for true healing.

Treatment depends on the cause. For an H. pylori infection, a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medication is used. For ulcers caused by NSAIDs, the patient must stop taking the medication and take acid-reducing drugs to allow healing. Severe complications may require additional procedures or surgery.

The only sure way to know if an ulcer has healed is through a follow-up medical evaluation, which may include an endoscopy. It is important not to stop treatment simply because symptoms have subsided, as the ulcer may still be in the process of healing.