As it turns out, there aren't a ton of vegan birth control options (http://www.vegsource.com/jo/qa/qabcontrol.htm). I looked back through various vegan communities to see what people had to say, and a few thought that the Nuvaring, the copper IUD, or the contraceptive sponge might be vegan, but I haven't been able to verify it yet. According to this site (http://www.ivu.org/faq/products.html), "Femulen, a progestogen-only pill made by Gold Shield [available in the UK], is the only product that is free from animal ingredients (but not animal testing)."
Beyond the obvious problem of animal ingredients like lactose and animal-based stearates, as the above quote suggests, oral contraceptives have all been animal tested (http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/health/contraceptives.php), according to the Vegan Society UK.
Most research indicates that the only really cruelty-free birth control methods include using vegan condoms (you can order here (http://www.veganstore.com/) or here (http://www.vegansociety.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=21&osCsid=8fff4f5aea50beee37f177fc910e60ce)), or practicing the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). You can find more information about FAM in fam, here (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Non-Hormonal_Birth_Control#The_Fertility_Awareness_Method_.28FAM.29) in our Vulvapedia entry on non-hormonal birth control, and of course, in the FAM "bible," Taking Charge of Your Fertility (http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/sr=8-1/qid=1171900562/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4245693-9013659?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Toni Weschler.
I would also encourage you to check out both the general entries on non-hormonal (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Non-Hormonal_Birth_Control) and hormonal (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control) birth control in our Vulvapedia (the former should indicate vegan options throughout).
Good luck! It's not an easy thing, and I know more than a few vegans who decided to prioritize contraception over using a totally vegan birth control method. Tough choices, indeed ... hopefully now that you're armed with some starter info, you can make whatever decision feels right for you.
Vegan Contraceptive Options
As it turns out, there aren't a ton of vegan birth control options (http://www.vegsource.com/jo/qa/qabcontrol.htm). I looked back through various vegan communities to see what people had to say, and a few thought that the Nuvaring, the copper IUD, or the contraceptive sponge might be vegan, but I haven't been able to verify it yet. According to this site (http://www.ivu.org/faq/products.html), "Femulen, a progestogen-only pill made by Gold Shield [available in the UK], is the only product that is free from animal ingredients (but not animal testing)."
Beyond the obvious problem of animal ingredients like lactose and animal-based stearates, as the above quote suggests, oral contraceptives have all been animal tested (http://www.vegansociety.com/html/people/health/contraceptives.php), according to the Vegan Society UK.
Most research indicates that the only really cruelty-free birth control methods include using vegan condoms (you can order here (http://www.veganstore.com/) or here (http://www.vegansociety.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=21&osCsid=8fff4f5aea50beee37f177fc910e60ce)), or practicing the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). You can find more information about FAM in
I would also encourage you to check out both the general entries on non-hormonal (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Non-Hormonal_Birth_Control) and hormonal (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control) birth control in our Vulvapedia (the former should indicate vegan options throughout).
Good luck! It's not an easy thing, and I know more than a few vegans who decided to prioritize contraception over using a totally vegan birth control method. Tough choices, indeed ... hopefully now that you're armed with some starter info, you can make whatever decision feels right for you.