A new study from the George Washington University found a significant increase in the number of young adults in the United States seeking permanent contraception, specifically tubal sterilization and vasectomy, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which leaked in May 2022 and was finalized a month later. The decision overturned federal abortion rights protections codified in 1973 by Roe v. Wade, ceding legal authority on the subject to individual states.
“Our study shows that the Dobbs decision has had a profound effect on young adults’ reproductive choices, leading many to opt for permanent contraception in the months following the decision,” said Julia Strasser, director of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health and assistant research professor of health policy and management at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. “While access to all contraceptive methods—including permanent ones—is critical for reproductive autonomy, young people should not feel coerced into making decisions based on fear and uncertainty surrounding their rights.”
Strasser and her colleagues studied the changes in contraceptive use and perceptions before and after the Dobbs ruling. They found that the number of young adults seeking tubal sterilization and vasectomy significantly increased in the months following the leaked Dobbs opinion in May 2022 and the decision itself in June 2022.
Other Key Takeaways:
- In August 2022, young people between the ages of 19 and 26 opted for 799, or 70%, more tubal sterilizations, and 346, or 95%, more vasectomies compared to May 2022.
- States deemed likely to ban abortion saw a greater increase in tubal sterilizations and vasectomies as compared to states not likely to ban abortion.
- Qualitative responses from a survey of 638 young adults revealed that many expressed fears about their reproductive rights.
- Participants mentioned their interest in permanent contraception was motivated by concerns about losing access to abortion or the ability to make decisions regarding pregnancy.
Strasser says the study adds to a growing body of literature on the wide-reaching impact of the Dobbs decision, one that could affect generations to come. The research calls for greater attention to the unique needs of young people, especially in the context of evolving state laws and policies that restrict access to reproductive healthcare services.
The study, “Tubal Sterilization and Vasectomy Increased Among US Young Adults After the Dobbs Supreme Court Decision,” was published Jan. 6 in Health Affairs.
