A Notable Sum Of Women Are Considering Permanent Contraception

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last month, many have speculated on the future of contraception in the United States. According to a new study by The Harris Poll on behalf of TIME, a notable portion of women are now considering using emergency and permanent forms of birth control. 

Two-thirds (65%) of women aged 18-44 report using some form of contraception in the past month, with the most frequently cited being oral birth control (i.e., “the pill”) (28%) and wearable contraceptive devices (e.g., condoms, diaphragms) (23%). With abortion and reproductive rights becoming largely unprotected in many states across the U.S in the past month, a noteworthy sum (21%) of women aged 18-44 report that they have changed their primary contraception methods. Many are considering permanent and emergency methods.   

While only one in ten (11%) women aged 18-44 say that they have used emergency contraception in the past month (e.g, Plan B, spermicide), nearly double (20%) report that they would consider using it in the future. A similar number (14%) report that they would consider using permanent contraception (​​e.g., vasectomy, hysterectomy) in the future.

This survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of TIME from July 15, 2022 to July 18, 2022 among 1,686 respondents. Figures for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, region, household income, and propensity to be online have been weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the US population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 4.0 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For more information, please contact Madelyn Franz, or Andrew Laningham.