Birth Control for the dairy free

[Pam]

:oops: I just thought I would share this with you all.

How many of you know that most contraceptive pills contain lactose and that condoms made of latex generally use casein in the production process? Condoms may only be a problem to those who have contact allergies but the contraceptive pill is more difficult.

This information came from the Vegan Society's 'Vegan Shopper' book which has loads of useful information and lists lots of vegan products which are all free from all animal products including milk.

[Lan]

I did have a slight idea about this, thanks for raising the point. When I went to family planning I was told that 99.9% of most contraceptive pills are made up of lactose.

I was told that only the mini pill, condoms, the cap and other methods like it are dairy free.


Lan :P

[alexx]

I'm on the mini pill and my brand (Cerazette) is definitely dairy free!

[Lan]

Hi all,

I'm on about different pills, but through the hospital I have found that the following tablets for cholestrol, are dairy free:

Lescol
Lopid.

Am being prescribed the Lescol and will let you know if they are lactose free.

Please check all ingredients before taking any tablets.

Kind Regards,


Lan.:D:D

[Copper]

I am glad that you have managed to sort out some lactose free cholesterol tablets.

[Broxine]

My mum works for the company that makes persona (I don't know if any of you have heard of it), its quite expensive but luckily I get it free through mum. Its also handy as I'm not able to take contraceptive pills and might be a good option for anyone out there not able to take the pill or use condoms either.

[Pam]

I've heard of a few people who've had accidents with persona, presumably you have been ok.

[scranL74]

I used persona for about 3-4 years, and found it to be excellent.
Then when we decided to start trying for a family, we used it to predict the best times for conception, as it lets you know when you are ovulating.

I give it the thumbs up!

[whitewabbit2001]

ive not heard of it what is it?

[scranL74]

It's a little machine in the morning, you put a stick in First Morning Urine, and then plug it into this machine. You leave it there to measure your hormones, and then it'll tell you if it's ok to 'go for it' or if you're fertile.

If you'd like the link to their website, PM me and I'll dig it out for you :)

[Jules]

I've also found out that some of the 'own brand' antihistimines also contain lactose as a bulking agent. Also some prescribed medication such as antibiotics also contain lactose, again as a bulking agent.

Stange isn't it? For years I was taking antihistimines to counter my Asthma, only to find out in the end that the antihistimines themselves were partially responsible !!!!!:eek:

[Wysegazer]

as far as I can see most contraceptive pills available in the UK have lactose in them. Its certainly enough to affect me!! There is one available in Canada I think named Demulen which doesn't have lactose in it as far as I'm aware, however I worked out that by taking lactase enzyme maybe 5-10 mins before the pill, it would easily break down the lactose which combines it.

Any thoughts?

I think its helped, I'm not so round anymore!

[Pam]

The Vegan Shopper used to list a brand that was dairy free but my copy of the book is so old that it is probably out of date now. The Vegan Society might be able to help you if the lactase doesn't solve the problem. Lactase is only helpful for people with lactose intolerance, it won't do anything for someone who has a milk allergy or problems with milk protein.

[zoefruitcake]

I get past the antihistamine problem by taking the syrup instead of the tablets.

I used to use Persona, but then the premature menopause got in the way so I sold it on eBay ;0)

[Henna]

Hi. I know it's an old link but I'm extremly allergic to milk and lactose and I got my contraceptive pills made for me straight from the factor. cost more then dubble the price but well worth it. I bought the pills in Sweden but my GP in England said that it can be done here aswell. For my antihistamin medication I use the syrup one for children.

[Copper]

I am sure that this will be good news for a lot of people.

[LaurenJoanna]

i did not know that about the pill..
havent had any problems with that, but then, its only a tiny thing..
but good idea to let everyone know

[Copper]

The lactose in the pill was enough to make me feel very ill :( It tipped me over the amount of lactose I could tolerate.

[kntjcq]

Many medication tablets contain lactose as a filler you may be able to get tablets with dextrose or sucrose or a oral solution in liquid form tablets to treat thrush contain lactose and so far i know of no suitable equivalent.
Jacquie