Permanent contraception use increased in US young adults following Dobbs
A recent study reported an increase in US young adults seeking permanent contraception methods following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in 2022, highlighting the need for accessible contraception.
Permanent contraception use increased in US young adults following Dobbs | Image Credit: © zimmytws - © zimmytws - stock.adobe.com.
The proportion of young adults seeking permanent contraception has increased in the United States following the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a recent study from George Washington University.1
According to Julia Strasser, director of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, early research findings indicated that Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization led to young adults seeking out longer lasting contraception.2 This led researchers to further evaluate this trend and the current mindset of young adults about contraception.
Increased rates of tubal sterilization and vasectomy were reported among young adults aged 19 to 26 in both 2021 and 2022. However, the increase was significantly greater following the Dobbs decision. Additionally, states considered more likely to ban abortion saw higher increases in the rate of young adults seeking permanent contraception.2
Fear about bodily autonomy was reported among young adults, with many feeling coerced into making decisions. This adds to a growing body of literature highlighting significant effects of the Dobbs decision on contraception, especially in vulnerable groups such as young adults.2
There were 40,097 total visits for tubal sterilization and vasectomy among young adults in 2021 and 2022.3 While visits were more common in states more likely to ban abortion, significant differences were not reported based on state policy during the pre-Dobbs decision period.
Young adults in states likely to ban abortion reported 6.88 more tubal sterilizations per state per month vs those not likely to ban abortion, alongside 3.39 more vasectomies per state per month. Significant differences were not reported for either service among older adults aged 27 to 40 years.3
Permanent contraception was directly mentioned by 5% of MyVoice survey respondents in July 2022 vs 0.8% in May 2023. Patients mentioning permanent contraception in July 2022 were more often female, non-Hispanic White, and residing in states likely to ban abortion.3
Compared to May 2022, the rates of tubal sterilizations and vasectomies were increased by 70% and 95%, respectively, in August 2022 among young adults.1 Many survey respondents mentioned they were seeking permanent contraception because of concerns about losing abortion access or bodily autonomy.
“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 Strasser.“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.”1
Strasser recommended contraception services be accessible and delivered through patient-centered methods.2 Clinicians should be able to offer a full range of contraceptive methods, including permanent methods such as vasectomies and tubal sterilizations, to all patients.
Additionally, Strasser warned that decisions about contraception access could be relegated to the states similarly to abortion after the Dobbs decision. This highlights a need to understand potential ramifications of federal contraception protections being removed.2
References
- Study reveals rising interest in permanent contraception after Roe v. Wade was overturned. George Washington University. January 6, 2025. Accessed January 3, 2025.
- Julia Strasser 3 question research video. GW Media Relations. December 18, 2024. Accessed January 3, 2025. https://vimeo.com/1040444191?share=copy
- Strasser J, Schnek E, Lukenbill S, et al. Tubal sterilization and vasectomy increased among US young adults after the Dobbs Supreme Court decision In 2022. Reproductive Health. 2025;44(1):99-107. doi:10.1377/ hlthaff.2024.00824
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