Playing it Safe? The Effect of Abortion Bans on Sexual Behavior

James Flynn, David R. Munro and Caitlin Myers

No 35333, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We estimate the effect of total abortion bans enacted after Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health on sexual behavior. Using synthetic and standard difference-in-differences designs, we analyze gonorrhea rates and over-the-counter contraceptive purchases as indicators of sexual activity and contraceptive use. We find that total abortion bans reduced gonorrhea rates by 21% among the population aged 15–44 and increased condom purchases by 5.4%. County-level analyses suggest the response reflects awareness of state policy rather than changes in travel distance to providers. These findings are consistent with a framework in which abortion restrictions increase the perceived cost of unprotected sex, inducing more cautious behavior.

JEL-codes: I11 I12 J13 K23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06
Note: CH EH LE PE
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