f you’re vegan and considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you might be wondering: does this fit with my values? The answer is a little mixed. Some HRT options are completely fine for vegans, while others contain animal-derived ingredients. The good news is that there are plenty of choices, and you don’t have to feel guilty about prioritising your health.
âś… HRT Options That Are Vegan-Friendly
Here are the ones you can feel confident about:
- Oestrogel – plant-based oestrogen gel
- Sandrena gel – vegan oestrogen gel
- Estradot patches – transdermal oestrogen patch
- Evorel patches – vegan-friendly patch
- Femseven patches – patch option without animal derivatives
- Lenzetto spray – oestrogen spray suitable for vegans
- Androfeme – bioidentical testosterone cream
- Tostran – testosterone gel
- Testogel – testosterone gel option
- Testim – testosterone gel option
- Estring – vaginal oestrogen ring
- Ovestin – oestrogen cream
❌ HRT Options That Are Not Vegan
These contain animal ingredients, so they don’t meet vegan standards:
- Premarin / Prempak C / Premique – made with equine oestrogen (from horse urine)
- Indivina / Tridestra / Bijuve – contain gelatin
- Duavive – equine oestrogen + lactose
- Utrogestan – contains bovine gelatin and soy
đź’¬ What the Vegan Society Says
The Vegan Society’s definition of veganism is really helpful here. They explain:
“As far as is possible and practicable, veganism recognises that it is not always possible or practicable to avoid animal use in a non-vegan world. Sometimes, you may have no alternative to medication manufactured using animal products. Even if other medications are available, they may be less effective, have more side effects or be unsuitable for your healthcare needs. While it can be upsetting to compromise our vegan beliefs, we encourage vegans to look after their health and that of others, enabling them to be effective advocates for veganism.”
This reminds us that being vegan is about doing the best we can. It’s part of living in a world that isn’t set up for vegans yet, where not everything is perfect. Sometimes we have to navigate around tricky situations, and we shouldn’t chastise ourselves if it feels like a complex minefield. If there’s no other medication available right now, taking what you need doesn’t deflect from your advocacy as a vegan — your health and well-being matter, and staying strong helps you continue to speak up for animals and for change.
🌟 Takeaway
- Patches, gels, and sprays are usually the safest vegan-friendly options.
- Progesterone is trickier, since the most common option (Utrogestan) isn’t vegan.
- Remember: being vegan is about doing your best, not achieving perfection.
For more detailed guidance, you can read Practical considerations for vegan-friendly medicines, published by The Vegan Society on 6 March 2023. It offers compassionate advice for vegans navigating medical treatments, including HRT, and reminds us that health must come first — even when perfect vegan alternatives aren’t available.
For more detailed guidance, you can read Practical considerations for vegan-friendly medicines, published by The Vegan Society on 6 March 2023. It offers compassionate advice for vegans navigating medical treatments, including HRT, and reminds us that health must come first — even when perfect vegan alternatives aren’t available.
đź“ś Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about HRT or any medical treatment. Product availability and formulations may vary by country, and information may change over time.
Images are for illustration purposes only. The image depicts scientists making HRT from yams.
