People Are Still Having Sex — Just the Kind That Won’t Get You Pregnant — After Roe v. Wade Overturn

• Singles say they have been having sex without penetration ever since Roe v. Wade was reversed, citing concerns about unintended pregnancy
• People say they discuss abortion and contraception earlier in their relationships.
• Of more than 5,000 people surveyed, 87% say Roe v. Wade affected their relationship life

Rejection of the Supreme Court in 2022 Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, has significantly affected the sex lives of single men in America – not just whether they have sex, but the kind of sex they have.

New research has found that 10% of single men are turning to “non-penetrative” sex – essentially, the kind of sex that won’t lead to pregnancy – because access to abortion has been restricted or outright banned in some states.

The findings come from the Singles in America survey, conducted by the Match Group. The company, which oversees dating sites like Match, Hinge and Tinder, surveyed more than 5,000 singles for its 13th annual report.

A majority of respondents — 87% — said the Supreme Court’s decision had affected their relationships and sex lives, and 15% of active respondents under the age of 50 said they were afraid of getting pregnant or that someone else would get pregnant. And 11% are actually nervous or anxious during sex.

People are having less sex since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Getty

Other findings include 14% of people who said they have less casual sex now and/or less sex in general, and 14% discussed contraception much earlier than before.

In the year since Roe V. Wade was overturned, 20 states have enacted restrictions — or outright bans — on abortion. In Texas, for example, abortion is illegal after 6 weeks, which is before most women even know they are pregnant.

Oklahoma woman with unsustainable pregnancy says hospital told her to sit in parking lot ‘until you bleed out’

Because of some state bans, medically challenged women are denied life-saving abortions — like one Florida woman, who said “I knew I was going to die” when she was sent home from the hospital at risk of developing sepsis when her membranes ruptured only after 15 weeks.

Restrictions on access to abortion may have increased suicide rates among women, a recent study suggests.

Protest against overturning Roe v. Wade. Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP Photo

The study also found that 60% of singles surveyed were pro-choice — and the candidates’ positions on abortion would “completely determine” how 30% of Democratic singles and 20% of Republicans would vote. However, 14% reported having less casual sex and/or less sex in general.

Texas woman nearly lost her life after doctors couldn’t legally perform an abortion: ‘Their hands were tied’

In December, the Supreme Court voted to review a case involving mifepristone – commonly called the “abortion pill” – which works by blocking the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down and the pregnancy cannot continue.

This new case could result in limited access to — or an outright ban on — the pill, further limiting women’s access to reproductive care.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education