Can birth control trends explain the rise in abortions? It's complicated

A chorus of influencers on social media in the MAHA and "trad wife" communities emphasize the downsides of hormonal birth control. Research shows few of them have medical expertise. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Right after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, there were many stories about how new state abortion bans were influencing people's birth control decisions, especially by prompting people to use long-acting or permanent options.

Research shows that it wasn't just anecdotal, the trend was real — more people got intrauterine devices and implants for birth control, and procedures like vasectomies and tubal ligation spiked.

These days, though, Dr. Caitlin Bernard , an OB-GYN in Indianapolis who helps lead a statewide free birth control program , says her patients aren't talking much about the abortion ban that's been in place in the state for years.

"This is just the normal status quo now," says Bernard, who was involved in a high-profile abortion case soon after Roe was overturned. "Other things that help you decide whether or not to use contraception are more top of mind."

Bernard says patients are questioning things like whether they would rather take a pill or have an IUD, and whether their insurance would cover both options. She also sees patients worried about finances in general and trying to avoid going to the doctor to steer clear of unexpected medical bills.

Bernard says there is one thing that is affecting her patient's decision-making more nowadays: Social media, and the rise of "Make America Healthy Again" and "trad wife" influencers. Both deliver messages about hormonal birth control being bad for women.