Hanks discusses post-Dobbs sterilization study with Cap Times

Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology joined the Cap Times for a story about local sterilization rates.

The Cap Times article “Sterilization rate at Madison hospital doubled after abortion ruling, study finds” shared data from a study co-authored by Hanks in the most recent issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal. Hanks’s study found that surgical sterilization rates for pregnancy-capable patients at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital rose 106% from  2016 to 2023. Hanks mentioned some of the reasons patients were interested in sterilization after the Dobbs decision:

“Hanks said more people are choosing surgical sterilization due to concerns that, should they become pregnant, access to abortion services could be restricted. She also said other forms of contraception aren’t 100% effective and might be unsuitable for all patients.”

You can read the full article here.

**by Ob-Gyn Communications Intern Paige Stevenson