A recent study conducted by George Washington University indicates that there has been a notable rise in the number of young adults in the U.S. opting for permanent contraceptive methods, such as tubal sterilization and vasectomy, following the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Julia Strasser, the director of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, stated, “Our study demonstrates that the Dobbs ruling has significantly influenced the reproductive choices of young adults, leading many to consider permanent contraception in the months after the ruling.” She emphasized the importance of having access to all forms of contraception, including permanent methods, for reproductive independence, and noted that young individuals should not feel pressured into making decisions based on anxiety about their rights.
Strasser and her team examined the shifts in contraceptive usage and attitudes before and after the Dobbs decision. They discovered a marked increase in the number of young adults pursuing tubal sterilization and vasectomy in the months following the leak of the Dobbs opinion in May 2022 and the official decision in June 2022.
Additional Key Findings:
- In August 2022, there were 799 more tubal sterilizations, representing a 70% increase, and 346 more vasectomies, a 95% rise, among young adults aged 19-26 compared to May 2022.
- The increase in tubal sterilizations and vasectomies was more pronounced in states likely to impose abortion bans compared to those where such bans were unlikely.
- Qualitative feedback from a survey of 638 young adults indicated that many were anxious about their reproductive rights.
- Participants shared that their interest in permanent contraception was driven by worries about potentially losing access to abortion and the ability to control their pregnancy options.
Strasser indicates that this research contributes to the expanding understanding of the extensive effects resulting from the Dobbs decision, which could influence future generations. The findings highlight the need for more focus on the distinct requirements of young individuals, particularly given the changing state laws and policies that limit access to reproductive healthcare services.
The study titled, “Tubal Sterilization And Vasectomy Increased Among US Young Adults After The Dobbs Supreme Court Decision,” was published on January 6, 2025, in Health Affairs.
