Military medicine
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Female sterilization is a common form of contraception in the United States. On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court eliminated the federal standard protecting a woman's right to abortion via Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Since that time, there have been anecdotal increases in sterilization requests across the country, although there are no publications demonstrating this change. This study hypothesized that there would be increased female sterilization rates at a Texas military hospital post-Dobbs decision due to state restrictions as compared with a Washington military hospital. ⋯ The reproductive health of military medical beneficiaries at one military hospital was significantly impacted by the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Rates of female sterilization increased significantly. In addition, patients choosing permanent sterilization were younger and were less likely to use alternative, reversible contraceptive methods prior to surgery. This study demonstrates a significant change in contraceptive choices toward methods that incur greater surgical risks and potential for regret, as well as greater financial costs to the military health system.