Study reveals rising interest in permanent contraception after Roe v. Wade was overturned

Tubal sterilization and vasectomy utilization increased among US young adults

2025-01-06

(Press-News.org) WASHINGTON (January 6, 2025) - A new study from the George Washington University found a significant increase in the number of U.S. young adults seeking permanent contraception, specifically tubal sterilization and vasectomy, following the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision which overturned Roe v. Wade.

“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 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, and 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, there were 799, or 70%, more tubal sterilizations, and 346, or 95%, more vasectomies compared to May 2022 for young adults between the ages of 19-26. There was a greater increase in tubal sterilizations and vasectomies in states deemed likely to ban abortion vs. 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 on January 6, 2025 in Health Affairs.

Julia Strasser explains more about the study in this video.

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

U of M Medical School study finds point-of-care ultrasound enhances early pregnancy care, cuts emergency visits by 81%

2025-01-06

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (1/06/2025) — Published in Annals of Family Medicine, a University of Minnesota Medical School research team found that implementing point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) to assess the viability and gestational age of pregnancies in the first trimester enhanced care for pregnant patients and cut emergency visits by 81% for non-miscarrying patients. Previously, early pregnancy care was provided through separate appointments for ultrasound, risk assessment and patient education. This new integrated approach allows patients who are under 14 weeks pregnant to receive comprehensive care ...

Ice patches on Beartooth Plateau reveal how ancient landscape differed from today’s

2025-01-06

By Diana Setterberg, MSU News Service BOZEMAN – Montana State University scientists say the frozen remnants of an ancient forest discovered 600 feet above the modern tree line on the Beartooth Plateau may portend possible changes for the alpine ecosystem if the climate continues to warm. A paper about the discovery was published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It describes what scientists have learned by studying the remains of a mature whitebark pine forest ...

MMRI scientist publishes breakthrough study detailing how ketones improves blood flow to the heart

2025-01-06

UTICA, N.Y. – Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), has uncovered groundbreaking insights into heart health in a recent study titled, Myocardial Hyperemia via Cardiomyocyte Catabolism of β-Hydroxybutyrate. The research highlights how a ketone body called β-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) — a molecule produced by the liver when breaking down fat — can enhance blood flow to the heart. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and ischemic heart disease, caused by insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the heart, as the number ...

2025 Seismological Society of America Annual Meeting

2025-01-06

SSA will be holding its annual meeting on 14-18 April 2025 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting attracts more than 800 scientists, engineers and policymakers for presentations and posters that cover the latest seismological research from around the globe. The meeting's topics are presented in 48 technical sessions, including topics such as earthquake forecasting, seismic hazard assessment, explosion forensics, exploring extraterrestrial ...

New AI tool uses routine blood tests to predict immunotherapy response for many cancers

2025-01-06

Doctors around the world may soon have access to a new tool that could better predict whether individual cancer patients will benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors — a type of immunotherapy — using only routine blood tests and clinical data. The artificial intelligence–based model, dubbed SCORPIO, was developed by a team of researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. The model is not only cheaper and more accessible, it’s significantly better at predicting outcomes than the two current biomarkers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ...

1 in 4 U.S. veterans aged 60+ report having being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at some point, with potential implications for their physical and mental health

2025-01-06

1 in 4 U.S. veterans aged 60+ report having being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at some point, with potential implications for their physical and mental health #### Article URL: https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000192 Article Title: Prevalence, correlates, and mental and physical health burden of cardiovascular disease in older U.S. military veterans Author Countries: United States Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work. END ...

These 11 genes may help us better understand forever chemicals’ effects on the brain

2025-01-06

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) earn their “forever chemical” moniker by persisting in water, soil and even the human brain. This unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue makes PFAS particularly concerning, but the underlying mechanism of their neurotoxicity needs to be studied further. To that end, a new study by University at Buffalo researchers has identified 11 genes that may hold the key to understanding the brain's response to these pervasive chemicals commonly found in everyday items. These genes, some involved in processes vital for neuronal ...

Microplastics widespread in seafood people eat

2025-01-06

The tiny particles that shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, according to a new study from Portland State researchers, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment. Building on previous research exploring the prevalence of microplastics in bivalves like Pacific oysters and razor clams, researchers in PSU’s Applied Coastal Ecology Lab — led by ...

Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds

2025-01-06

Lead exposure is responsible for a range of human health impacts, with even relatively low levels impacting the cognitive development of children. DRI scientists have previously used atmospheric pollution records preserved in Arctic ice cores to identify periods of lead pollution throughout the Roman Empire, and now new research expands on this finding to identify how this pollution may have affected the European population. The study, published Jan. 6th in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), ...

Researchers reveal ancient dietary habits and early human use of plant foods

2025-01-06

A new archaeological study, conducted along the Jordan River banks south of northern Israel’s Hula Valley, offers a fresh perspective on the dietary habits of early humans, challenging conventional wisdom about prehistoric diets. The research reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers relied heavily on plant foods, particularly starchy plants, as a major energy source. The findings suggest that, contrary to popular belief, the diet of early hominids was not solely focused on animal protein, but rather, featured a diverse range of plant-based foods, including acorns, cereals, ...

Study reveals rising interest in permanent contraception after Roe v. Wade was overturned

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: