Articles tagged with Abortion
A new Cochrane review has found that emergency contraception containing mifepristone is more effective than other common methods, such as levonorgestrel, with fewer side effects. Mifepristone also showed a lower risk of nausea and vomiting compared to other methods, but a higher likelihood of delayed menstruation.
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommends maximizing patient access to abortion care and counseling to improve maternal safety. The new guidance highlights the importance of evidence-based reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, in high-risk pregnancy situations.
After the Dobbs v Jackson decision, out-of-state travel to North Carolina for abortion care increased, particularly from more restrictive Southeastern states. Patients also presented at later gestational durations and traveled farther for care, indicating increased logistical barriers after policy changes.
A qualitative study investigates the experiences of out-of-state individuals who travel to receive abortion care, highlighting challenges and emotional impacts. The study aims to improve reproductive health access and reduce barriers faced by women seeking abortion services.
Traveling patients from restrictive states experience mistrust of online sources, legal concerns, and knowledge gaps regarding remote services. Health policies should address these issues to improve understanding and trust in safe, reliable options.
A national study of obstetrician-gynecologists reveals that state abortion laws are linked to higher levels of clinical constraints and moral distress among OB-GYNs. The findings suggest that institution-level support is needed to address moral distress, regardless of the state's abortion policy context.
A University of Maryland-led study analyzing Danish health records found no evidence that first medication or procedural abortion increases mental health prescription use. After five years, filling such prescriptions decreased, suggesting neither method increases risk of mental health issues.
A study of high school students found that total abortion bans in states were associated with increased suicidal ideation among females, with similar but less precise estimates for suicide attempts. The findings suggest that these policies may adversely impact female adolescents' mental health.
A recent study found that US women's healthcare providers became more politically engaged following the Dobbs decision, with a significant increase in voter turnout compared to other physicians. The research suggests that the shift was driven by the direct impact of the policy change on their work and patients' lives.
A qualitative study found that abortion bans disrupt clinical care beyond traditional abortion services, leading to treatment delays, patient autonomy erosion, and compromised trust between physicians and patients. The restrictions also create new gatekeeping roles for physicians, potentially exacerbating healthcare inequities.
The study found that an abortion ban in Texas was associated with a worsening of maternal mental health among reproductive-age mothers. This highlights the need for strengthened support for post-Dobbs policy environments.
A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
A new study found that states with restrictive abortion policies experienced slower growth in female medical school applicants compared to those with protective policies. The proportion of women enrolling in medical school increased nationally, but at a slower rate in Hostile/Not Protected states.
After Dobbs v Jackson, US abortion management shifted towards expectant approaches in ban states, with persistent reliance on suboptimal misoprostol-only regimens. State-level abortion bans were associated with a decrease in management options for individuals with spontaneous abortion in ban states.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that state-level abortion bans in the US are associated with a reduction in evidence-based medical care for miscarriage management. This has led to more women waiting longer for treatment and fewer choices, potentially putting their health and fertility at risk.
The study found that out-of-state Chicago Abortion Fund callers traveled more than 3 times the distance to Illinois after Dobbs compared to before. These callers were also more likely to have private or no insurance, be from rural areas, and receive hospital-based care during their pregnancy.
A new USC study found that in-store pharmacies filled less than 2% of mifepristone prescriptions since the FDA eased dispensing requirements, with mail-order pharmacies accounting for most fills. The study suggests significant access gaps in states with stronger legal protections for abortion.
A data analysis found that maternal deaths increased by 11% in US aid-dependent countries during Republican administrations, eroding a fifth of the global decline in maternal deaths since 1985. The policy, which restricts family planning services, is associated with a 10.5% increase in maternal deaths.
States with full abortion bans experienced a 1.6% increased birth rate in 2023, as well as a 4.3% increase in WIC participation among postpartum women and a 2.1% increase in formula-fed infants. This led to a $6.9 million increase in WIC food-assistance costs in 2023.
People in states with abortion bans face limitations to obtaining care out of state, emphasizing the need for policy change, visible information, and resources. The study suggests supporting individuals through social support systems to address these limitations.
A study by the University of Washington found that medical student applications to residency programs in states with new abortion restrictions decreased sharply following the Dobbs decision. Applications to specialties related to reproductive health dropped notably, indicating a potential impact on future physician workforce.
A study found that Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws significantly reduced the supply of obstetricians and gynecologists, particularly older and newly trained doctors. This led to a decline in more than 2 obstetrician-gynecologists per 100,000 females aged 15–44 years.
The study found increased requests for medication abortion among adolescents in states with gestational bans and parental consent requirements. Young adults also sought more medication abortion services post-Dobbs, with the highest demand in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Research found that states with five or more abortion restrictions had higher rates of maternal deaths from any cause, cardiovascular disease, and violence compared to those with fewer restrictions. Abortion is a medically safe procedure, and restricting access to it has real consequences, according to the study.
A nationwide Finnish registry-based study found no increased risk of pre- or postmenopausal breast cancer among women with a history of induced abortion or miscarriage. Breast cancer risks were similar regardless of the number of abortions or miscarriages, as well as the time of first abortion or miscarriage.
A cohort study found a disproportionate increase in postpartum depression among women and adolescents in low-socioeconomic status communities following state abortion bans. The legislation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, highlighting the need for targeted mental health support and policy interventions.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that abortion bans are associated with a significant increase in pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. The study suggests that restricting access to safe abortion care forces pregnant individuals to take on increased health risks, leading to higher mortality rates.
Researchers found that FDA decisions were based on safety considerations, with limited instances of political intervention. The agency acted cautiously, incrementally, and with a commitment to well-grounded scientific evidence.
A study found that TRAP laws increase maternal morbidity among fertility care patients, while states without such laws have better health outcomes. The study suggests a significant association between TRAP laws and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A new study found that only a quarter of reproductive health experts prescribe self-administered injectable contraceptives, despite its safety and effectiveness. The study identified barriers such as concerns about patient ability, medication availability, and lack of standardized counseling approaches.
Pharmacists play a key role in providing medication abortion services when mifepristone is regulated as a routine prescription. This study's findings inform policy initiatives to enhance pharmacist referral networks and improve access to medication abortion.
Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, Illinois abortion providers saw a 35% increase in abortions driven by out-of-state patients. Despite this surge, services for Illinois residents remained unchanged.
A new study found that the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision led to a significant increase in tubal ligations, a surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy, with 51% more procedures performed across four medical centers between 2021 and 2023.
This study examines the association between genetic variants (GWAS loci) and environmental factors (reproductive history) in uterine fibroid development. Genetic variants like rs66998222 and rs11031731 are found to have context-specific effects, with some exhibiting protective or deleterious effects depending on abortion history.
A recent study found that telehealth medication abortion requests doubled in 18 states following the Dobbs decision, with the majority of requests occurring before 6 weeks of pregnancy. This increase builds upon previous findings indicating a rise in telehealth requests among individuals living far from in-person abortion services.
A study of 14,458 abortions in Scotland found that early medical abortion at home between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy is safe and effective, with a similar success rate to hospital procedures. However, women who had medical abortion at home were more likely to contact the abortion service for questions or concerns.
The study reveals that WIPF1 plays a crucial role in regulating extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion and podosome formation, which is impaired in recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). WIPF1's interaction with ACTN4 and WASL facilitates lamellipodia formation and enhances EVT migration and invasion.
A recent study analyzed use of online asynchronous telemedicine abortion services from July 2023 to September 2024. The research found that these services increased access to abortion care, particularly in rural areas where traditional abortion providers are scarce.
Researchers found skewed sex ratios at birth among mothers from China, India, and Vietnam, with some mothers preferring boys over girls. The imbalance increased with multiple children, but remained stable for Australian-born mothers.
A new study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that state bans on abortion led to significant increases in travel time, costs, and delays in receiving care. The study, which surveyed 855 people from states with abortion bans, revealed a 17% increase in second-trimester abortions and a 11.3-hour increase in travel time.
After Roe v. Dobbs, nearly half of clinicians who provided abortions in banning states relocated, mostly to non-banning states, the study reveals.
A new study finds pregnant women in abortion-ban states have worse access to routine medical care and pregnancy coverage due to skimpy Medicaid programs. The researchers identified three Medicaid policies driving this disparity, highlighting the need for Congress to expand coverage and ensure all women can get needed care.
A recent study found that Texas's 2021 abortion restrictions were associated with rises in psychological distress amongst females of childbearing years. The study suggests that younger females are disproportionately affected by these barriers to accessing abortion care.
A study of three national cohorts reveals increased abortion use among LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the need for tailored support. The findings suggest that these groups are disproportionately impacted by narrowing abortion access in the US after the Dobbs decision.
A research team of over 60,000 OB-GYNs in the US found that doctors are not systematically leaving states where abortions are banned or threatened. The study suggests that concerns about reproductive health care may be offset by ties to patients and local communities, as well as significant relocation efforts.
A study found abortion rates remained steady in Ontario, Canada from 2020-2022, unlike countries across the UK and Europe. The researchers attribute this to Canada's policies supporting primary care and telemedicine abortion care.
Rutgers Health researchers found that two-thirds of adolescent girls aged 13-17 live in states with abortion bans, restrictive gestational limits, or parental involvement requirements. This leaves them disproportionately impacted without access to abortion care.
The expansion of mifepristone to community pharmacies has increased access to abortion services in Ontario, with the proportion of regions with a pharmacy or procedural provider growing from 20% to 82%. The study found that access to abortion services improved in both urban and rural areas.
Nurses in states with abortion bans face communication gaps and moral distress when providing care to pregnant patients. They resort to 'work-arounds' like reading the room for allies or using online resources to find legal reproductive health care, highlighting the need for better guidance and support.
Researchers report a significant increase in congenital heart defects in states with restrictive abortion laws, exceeding pre-Dobbs trends. This trend is associated with higher healthcare utilization needs and potential non-financial strains on families.
The Dobbs decision has been linked to moderate but significant decreases in obstetrics and gynecology practitioners in the most restrictive states compared to control states. Clinician migration is likely affecting reproductive care access, quality, and equity as abortion rights are increasingly decided at the state level
A study of UK servicewomen found they face unique hurdles in accessing abortion care due to stigma, judgmental attitudes, and lack of awareness. The research calls for more information and policy on abortion provision for service personnel and military healthcare professionals.
A cross-sectional study found a significant increase in abortions among Colorado residents following the implementation of Texas SB8. This rise aligns with reports from area clinicians and media outlets, indicating increased patient demand and delayed appointments.
A cross-sectional study found a significant increase in abortions among Colorado residents following the implementation of Texas SB8. The study aligns with reports from clinicians and media outlets, indicating dramatic patient demand and delayed appointments.
A study found that US states adopting abortion bans experienced significant increases in infant mortality, especially for deaths caused by congenital conditions. These increased mortality rates were disproportionately high among already vulnerable populations, such as Black infants and residents of Southern states.
A new study suggests that US abortion bans are associated with increased fertility rates, particularly among subpopulations experiencing structural disadvantages. The findings also highlight the negative impact of these policies on maternal and child health outcomes.
Two new studies estimate that abortion bans in 14 US states resulted in 22,180 additional live births and 478 infant deaths. The effects of these bans vary across racial and socioeconomic groups, with the largest impacts on populations experiencing structural disadvantages.
Researchers found a 60-day decrease in gestational duration at abortion among 16-17 year olds in Massachusetts after the ROE Act removed parental consent requirements. This policy change led to earlier access to abortion care for this age group, highlighting the importance of decreasing barriers to reproductive autonomy.
A new study reported that pregnant women with previable premature rupture of membranes (PROM) faced significantly higher risks of severe complications, including sepsis and blood transfusions, after the Texas Senate Bill 8 law went into effect.
A new study found that Colorado's parental notification law imposes emotional, physical hurdles on adolescents seeking abortion care, delaying access and increasing stress. The law disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those with unstable family relationships or histories of trauma.