Permanent and long-acting reversible contraception volumes at a multihospital system in Ohio before and after Dobbs

Abstract

ObjectivesImmediately following the Dobbs decision, Ohio prohibited abortion after the detection of fetal cardiac activity. We aimed to characterize changes in the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and permanent contraception following the abrupt enactment of restrictive abortion legislation. Study designWe conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic medical record data of patients aged 15 to 55 who underwent permanent contraception (tubal ligation, vasectomy) or LARC placement (intrauterine device, contraceptive implant) at a multihospital system in northeast Ohio from January 1, 2022 to Decemeber 31, 2022, 6 months before and after Dobbs. We compared procedure volumes and patient characteristics. ResultsWe identified 4247 tubal ligation and LARC procedures pre-Dobbs, including 725 (17.1%) permanent contraception and 3522 (82.9%) LARC. Post-Dobbs, the total number of tubal ligation and LARC procedures increased by 15.8% (4916), and there was a significant increase in the proportion of permanent contraception, (p < 0.001). Vasectomy volume increased by 33.3% post-Dobbs, from 1193 to 1590 procedures. Compared to pre-Dobbs, patients undergoing contraceptive procedures post-Dobbs were younger (tubal ligation and LARC, 30.9 median years [24.5, 36.8] vs 31.5 [25.2, 36.9], p = 0.011; vasectomy, median 36.6 years [32.9, 39.6] vs 37.2 [34.2, 40.4], p < 0.001) and more likely to report single relationship status (57.4% vs 55.9% for tubal ligation and LARC, p = 0.028% and 23.0% vs 18.1% for vasectomy, p = 0.002). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates increased uptake of contraceptive procedures following the Dobbs decision. This rise in permanent contraception suggests a relationship between abortion policy and contraceptive decision-making, especially among younger patients. ImplicationsIncreased permanent and long-acting reversible contraception procedures following Dobbs reveal shifting contraceptive choices, particularly among younger individuals, indicating a connection between abortion policy and reproductive decisions.