Abortion bans cut risky sex, new study finds

Published June 16, 2026 3:02pm ET | Updated June 16, 2026 3:03pm ET



People are having less risky sex in states with strict anti-abortion laws, according to a study released this week.

Over-the-counter contraceptive purchases dramatically increased, and gonorrhea rates substantially decreased in 13 states that implemented near-total abortion bans following the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022, according to the paper, which was circulated Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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