Tubal Ligations Surge Among Young American Women After Dobbs Ruling

The rate of tubal ligations among young American women aged 18-30 increased by 58 per 100,000 female patients immediately after the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling in June 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade. According to a study published in JAMA Health Forum that analyzed data from 22 million health-care appointments between January 2019 and September 2023, the growth rate of these permanent contraceptive procedures accelerated from a baseline of 2.8 additional procedures per month in the three and a half years leading up to Dobbs to over 5 additional procedures per month.

The sharp increase in tubal ligations suggests that some women may have expedited their plans for permanent contraception or feared a broader crackdown on other forms of contraception in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision. However, this trend carries greater risks of 'sterilization regret,' as younger women who undergo tubal ligations are more likely to later regret their decision compared to older women.

The study also found a 'sudden increase' in the number of young people (ages 18-30) undergoing vasectomies following the Dobbs decision. There were 27 more vasectomy procedures per 100,000 visits after the ruling, although there was no significant change in the monthly rate.

Why this matters: The findings indicate a surge in permanent contraception among young Americans in response to the Dobbs ruling, which allowed states to ban or severely restrict abortion. This shift highlights the broader implications and personal impacts of the Supreme Court decision on reproductive choices.

Dr. Alison Norris, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, noted that "people were making decisions in a moment of great uncertainty about what was going to happen with abortion access." The study's results emphasize the far-reaching consequences of the Dobbs ruling on contraceptive choices and the potential for long-term effects on individuals' reproductive health decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Tubal ligations in young women increased 58/100,000 after Dobbs ruling.
• Monthly tubal ligation growth rate rose from 2.8 to over 5 post-Dobbs.
• Vasectomies in young people increased 27/100,000 visits after Dobbs.
• Surge in permanent contraception highlights impacts of Dobbs ruling.
• Potential for long-term effects on reproductive health decisions.