When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, women across the US faced a stark reality: their reproductive rights had been stripped away. Amidst the chaos, some researchers have found a surprising trend: more women are choosing to get sterilized. Specifically, a study published in JAMA found that rates of surgical tubal ligation increased noticeably across the country after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health ruling in June 2022.

What if this assumption is wrong? What if the real impact of state abortion bans isn’t just about women seeking more permanent means of birth control, but about the broader effects on women’s health and autonomy? Tubal sterilization is an irreversible method of contraception, and the procedure comes with potential risks, including surgical complications.

The study, conducted by scientists at Yale and Columbia University, analyzed private insurance claims data from nearly five million women across 36 states and Washington D.C. The researchers divided the states into three groups, depending on how abortion was treated within their borders.

The findings showed that rates of tubal ligation rose significantly in the month following the Dobbs decision, and continued to increase in states with harsher abortion laws.

The rise in sterilization following state abortion bans is a complex issue that warrants further exploration. By examining the intersection of reproductive health, policy, and social factors, we can work towards a more nuanced understanding of the impact of these laws on women’s lives.

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