Xiao Xu, the lead author of the research, noted that the findings reflect the significant impact of recent changes to abortion laws on women's reproductive health decisions.

As a result of this ruling, nearly half of U.S. states have enacted stricter abortion laws, with 14 states implementing near-total bans and eight others restricting abortions after 6 to 18 weeks.

A recent study indicates that more women are opting for tubal ligations in states with these abortion bans, with a notable increase of 3% per month in such regions.

A related study published in JAMA Network Open noted that restrictive abortion policies have also led to declines in prescriptions for birth control pills and emergency contraception.

Researchers from Yale and Columbia University conducted the study to assess the impact of the Dobbs decision on women's health, particularly regarding access to abortions.

The Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, removing federal protections for abortion and allowing states to impose their own regulations.

The study analyzed insurance claims from approximately 4.8 million patients across 36 states and Washington, D.C., categorizing them based on their abortion laws.

Researchers found that the increase in tubal sterilization rates correlates with the restrictiveness of state abortion laws, reflecting a shift in women's reproductive choices.

Patients expressed concerns about contraceptive failures and the potential unavailability of abortion services, leading them to seek tubal ligations as a more definitive option.

Experts suggest that anxiety about unplanned pregnancies in states with abortion restrictions is driving this increase in permanent contraceptive measures.

In contrast, no increase in surgical sterilization was observed in states where access to abortion remained unchanged, indicating a direct link between abortion access and sterilization rates.

The U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among high-income countries, with Black women experiencing the highest rates, underscoring the broader implications of these restrictive laws.