“Without bodily autonomy we are not free”: exploring women’s concerns about future access to contraception following the 2016 US presidential election

Abstract

Objective Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, social media posts and news stories amplified concerns about the potential for reduced access to contraception under the incoming administration, and urged women to seek long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). We aimed to describe women’s concerns about future access to contraception, in their own words. Study Design A social-media based, anonymous online survey assessing thoughts and concerns about future access to contraception was distributed to reproductive-aged U.S. women for one week in mid-January 2017. Participants who were concerned about future access to contraception could share their thoughts and feelings in an open-ended comments box. We qualitatively analyzed 449 written responses for content and themes, with the goal of characterizing key concerns. Results Women who provided written comments had a mean age of 28 years; 85% were white, 88% had at least a college degree, and 93% identified as Democratic or Democratic-leaning. Women were highly concerned about future affordability of contraceptive methods due to potential loss of insurance, reduced insurance coverage for contraceptive methods, and reduced access to low-cost care at Planned Parenthood. Many also worried about increased restrictions on abortion. Participants’ concerns regarding access to contraception and abortion centered around themes of reproductive and bodily autonomy, which women described as fundamental rights. Conclusions Women in this study expressed considerable fear and uncertainty regarding their future access to contraception and abortion following the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. The potential for restricted access to affordable contraception and abortion was viewed as an unacceptable limitation on bodily autonomy.