The debate about abortions, Roe v. Wade, and the morality of the subject rages on. Not only are people still arguing about at what point an abortion is permissible-if it all for some-there are ramifications both politically and medically of overturning the federa; protection law. Access to abortion impacts other sexual health services, the behavior of people, and the socioeconomic reality of our country.

There is also an argument for decentralization of federal laws like Roe v. Wade. While there is no shortage of ways to talk about and debate the issue, one aspect of it isn't brought up often. How will overturning Roe v. Wade affect the sexual health of America? One of the areas it could leave a lasting impact on is in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Below are some ways that overturning the law could affect STDs.

Condom Use

The consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade on STDs begins with the use of condoms. There is an argument to be made that with less access to affordable and safe abortions, people are less likely to risk becoming pregnant. People could use condoms more frequently, which might prevent pregnancy and STDs as well. There is also birth control to think about. Birth control tools are typically more widely accessible when abortion is available, but there's no knowing how this will impact the use of condoms in general. One might think that without accessible abortions people will be more likely to use contraceptives, but this may not be the case.

Access to STD Tests & Family Planning

Clinics like Planned Parenthood are known for not just providing access to abortions, but for preventing them as well. Family planning resources are available at these clinics as well. Not only can people receive condoms and birth control from family planning services, but they can also offer STD tests. Planned Parenthood clinics offer a wide range of services, not just abortions.

Without funding, non-profit clinics might not be able to offer as many free or low-cost STD tests. Some STDs are asymptomatic and are only detected by a routine exam. If you don't have proper access to STD testing, you could be more likely to spread the infection. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), during the pandemic there was less testing for STDs and an increase of spread. In certain states, access and funding to abortion could have an impact on STD spread because of this lack in testing.

Sexual Health Privacy

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there are a lot of questions about how law enforcement will prosecute in a variety of states where there are restrictions. One way the police will prosecute people who have violated state law might be with digital evidence tools. There have been many criminal cases where law enforcement has used evidence gathered digitally to prosecute someone who has broken the law. There is currently a lot of speculation about the privacy surrounding this digital evidence.

For example, digital evidence might only show that the woman was pregnant and now she is not. It wouldn't necessarily show that the woman had an abortion; she might have miscarried. Furthermore, there could be other information revealed from these documents, such as the person's history of STD contraction. One way to avoid this and keep your privacy intact is to use an at home STD test. With the possibility of free or low-cost testing options disappearing and the privacy of the results in question, home tests for STDs may become more popular than ever.

Stigmatization

When it comes to less access to sexual wellness and health services, stigmatization could increase. This might make it less likely for people to talk about their experiences. Whether it's an abortion or an STD, awareness about these issues might go down, too. When awareness goes down, the problems surrounding the topic typically go up. With less testing, STDs could spread further and more quickly.

This is not only because people might not know they've contracted one and spread it to other partners, but because they could also be afraid to let their partner know. Stigmatization does not help the issue, and when something is prohibited or illegal, safety is sometimes put into question. Less access to sexual health services might not make these issues go away but put them in the shadows.

However you think about the issue, whatever your stance is, it is safe to say that abortion is not a simple issue. It is a moral, political, and health debate that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the arguing will only continue-this time at a state level. States across the country will have their abortion laws in question, and with that could come various consequences for the funding and acceptance of sexual health services.

Sexual health services are historically stronger where abortion is legal. There is usually more funding for non-profit clinics that can provide affordable services, treatment, and, in some cases, abortions to their patients. When there is less funding, there is usually less treatment and less testing. STD tests are pivotal to preventing the spread of these infections.

While there isn't a direct correlation between the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the spread, treatment, and awareness of STDs, there could be many indirect results. Since access to abortions and other sexual health services seem to go together in many places, it could become more difficult to get a test for STDs and treatment when they have contracted something.

It is also very difficult to determine how this will change people's behavior. Lots of things are illegal and they are still done. The regulation goes down and the act becomes something that people travel for. While it is a valid argument that states should be able to choose for themselves whether access to abortion should be widespread, the representative politics of it all make direct democracy difficult. One thing's for sure. Only time will tell how the overturning of Roe v. Wade will impact the sexual health and behavior of people across the United States. 

Ryan Beitler is a writer and journalist who has covered health and politics for numerous publications.