The effects of restricted abortion access on IUDs and vasectomies: Evidence from Texas

Abstract

Both contraception and abortion result in fertility reductions, but whether they are substitutes remains an open question. In 2013, Texas passed House Bill 2 (HB2), a policy that imposed strict regulations on abortion providers. Using administrative outpatient records from Texas, we exploit the passage of HB2 to identify the effects of restricted abortion access on the timing and demand for intrauterine devices (IUDs) and vasectomies using an event study design. We find evidence that expectations of limited abortion access significantly increase the demand for IUDs, with no effect on the incidence of vasectomies. These findings support the hypothesis that abortion and contraception are substitutes, particularly for individuals with the capacity to become pregnant.