Colorado women can face pushback when seeking sterilization surgery: “It’s very demeaning”

Hannah Anderson doesn’t want children.  The 27-year-old Coloradan wants to be able to hop on a plane when wanderlust calls. She wants a financial cushion free of child-related costs. She dreams of dedicating time and energy toward fostering animals.  Over the years, Anderson cycled through numerous birth control options — intrauterine devices and contraceptive injections — that caused her negative side effects and distress. A couple of years ago, when Anderson was sure she desired a child-free future, she told her doctor she wanted permanent birth control: sterilization.  Anderson’s doctor refused, saying someday she might have a husband who wants kids.  “It’s very demeaning,” Anderson said. “I felt like, ‘Are they allowed to say this? Am I being punked?’ If my future husband wants kids then that’s not the right person for me.”