Tubal Sterilization And Vasectomy Increased Among US Young Adults After The Dobbs Supreme Court Decision In 2022

• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2024.00824
• Publication Date: 2025-01-06T20:51:37Z
• Authors: Julia Strasser; Ellen Schenk; Sara Luckenbill; Danielle Tsevat; Lauryn King; Qian Luo; Julie Maslowsky
• Keywords: Vasectomy; Sterilization; Supreme Court Decisions

Young adults' access to contraception is shifting after the June 2022 United States Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. This concurrent mixed-methods study measured young use of and perceptions about tubal sterilization vasectomy leaked opinion in May 2022. Using national-level medical claims data from IQVIA, we conducted difference-in-differences analyses sterilizations vasectomies by age state policy; using open-text survey responses national MyVoice surveys 2023, thematically analyzed perspectives. Tubal visits increased among participants ages 19–26. Difference-in-differences found significant increases states deemed likely ban abortion. Survey highlight fear loss bodily autonomy changes pregnancy plans Dobbs. adults increasingly obtained permanent post-Dobbs, especially abortion, they continue face challenges their autonomy, whether feel pressured seek because abortion policy restrictions or desire but experience barriers obtaining it.