Post-Roe Planning: The Effect of Dobbs v. Jackson on Contraceptive and Sterilization Choices

This study examines the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling which removed federal protections for abortion on contraceptive and sterilization decisions. Using health insurance records of millions of Americans, we find that the ruling led to an increase of 22% in the monthly rate of female sterilization procedures, 18% increase in male sterilization procedures, and a 15% increase LARC insertions in states hostile to abortion compared to other states in the months immediately following the ruling. For most sub-groups we study, effects fade by 2023. However, we find lasting effects on sterilization rates for individuals aged 18-25.