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The best probiotic for women may aid gut, vaginal, and overall health by supporting bacteria found naturally in the body. Read on for our tips picks based on your health needs.
A probiotic is a live microorganism that may benefit a person when they
Probiotics live throughout the body and are especially prevalent in the digestive tract, where they may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Gut bacteria also have many other functions, including supplying essential nutrients.
Imbalances in bacteria happen for several reasons,
- chronic illness
- a side effect of taking antibiotics and other medications
- diet
Probiotics
Various foods, particularly fermented foods such as yogurt and miso, may contain probiotics.
How do probiotics help?
Probiotics
Further
Learn about dietary sources of probiotics.
When choosing the best probiotics, we considered the following factors:
- CFUs: Most probiotic manufacturers measure bacteria count according to
colony-forming units (CFUs) . A higher CFU number means the product contains more bacteria. We include products with a high CFU stated clearly on the product. - Bacteria strains: Different probiotic bacteria do different things. For example, Bifidobacterium may help with gut health, while Lactobacillus may support vaginal health. We have included probiotics with different strains, including multiple options with a blend of bacteria strains.
- Use and dosage: We choose products that clearly state ideal use, including recommended dosage, when to take them, storage suggestions, and any contraindications. We also choose brands that outline possible timelines for seeing health benefits.
- Safety: Companies may advertise that they have designed the probiotics for a specific purpose, such as digestive or vaginal health. However, probiotics have not been determined as universally safe or effective. We have vetted brands and chosen products that do not make unsubstantiated health claims or promises.
The following table compares the probiotics for women in this article on key features:
| Price | Product size | Bacteria strains | CFU | Daily dose | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual | $54 | 30 capsules (30-day supply) | L. rhamnosus, B. animalis | 11 billion | 1 capsule |
| HUM | $26 | 30 capsules (30-day supply) | L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Persona | $14 | 28-day supply | L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, L. salivarius, L. bulgaricus | 3 billion | 3 capsules |
| Culturelle | $17.99–$26.99 | 30-50 capsules (30-50 day supply) | L. rhamnosus GG | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Garden of Life | $57.99 | 90 capsules (30-day supply) | 32 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 85 billion | 3 capsules |
| Florastor | $44.51 | 100 capsules (50 day supply) | S. boulardii | Not stated | 2 capsules |
| Pure Encapsulations | $44.20 | 60 capsules (60-day supply) | 6 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Love Wellness | $28.98– $56.98 | 60 or 120 capsules (30-60 day supply) | 8 strains, including L. acidophilus, L. Gasseri | 1 billion | 2 capsules |
| Thorne | $31 | 60 capsules (60-day supply) | Bacillus Coagulans | 2 billion | 2–3 capsules |
| Garden of Life | $42.49 | 30 capsules (30-day supply) | 38 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 50 billion | 1 capsule |
Learn more about the best probiotics here.
Taking probiotic supplements may offer a range of potential health benefits for women:
Probiotics for vaginal health
Various studies conclude that Lactobacillus supplements, delivered orally or vaginally, may help prevent the recurrence of vaginal infection by aiding to maintain a bacterial balance. These may assist in
Additionally, a
Learn more about probiotics for vaginal health.
Probiotics for digestive health
Additionally, a
Learn more about the benefits of probiotics.
People should consider the following when taking probiotics:
- Not all probiotics are effective or safe for everyone.
- Probiotics are sensitive to changes in temperature. Some may require refrigeration. Therefore, some may not be suitable for people who travel or do not have access to refrigeration.
- The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, some containing a lot of live microorganisms. This may make it difficult for a person to determine whether research supports the health benefits that the manufacturers claim.
- Experts recommend that people eat a balanced diet, rich in
high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, as these measures may be more effective for a person’s overall digestive health than taking a probiotic.
A person taking probiotic supplements may experience the following side effects:
- gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:
- bloating
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea
- gas
- dermatological symptoms, such as rashes or acne
Probiotics are generally considered safe, but they are not safe for everyone. Some may have a higher risk when taking probiotics. This
- people with a compromised immune system or who are sick
- premature infants
- people with allergies, especially food allergies, as some probiotics may contain ingredients allergens
- pregnant people or people who are nursing
People should also use caution before taking probiotics for general health conditions. For example, the American Gastroenterological Association only recommends using probiotics to prevent C. difficile infection and manage pouchitis.
A person should consult with a healthcare professional before taking probiotics.
The following are common questions and answers about probiotics for women:
Some studies suggest that taking a probiotic supplement may help with conditions such as:
- antibiotic-related diarrhea
- IBS
- BV
- yeast infections
- atopic dermatitis
However, research on the benefits of probiotics is ongoing.
Before purchasing a probiotic, it is important to know that probiotic supplements are not necessary for everyone. An individual should not use probiotics as an alternative to seeking advice from a healthcare professional.
Before purchasing any products, people should contact a healthcare professional to discuss taking a probiotic.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that this may be particularly important for those with a health condition, as doctors may wish to monitor their health closely if they take any probiotics.
The National Institutes of Health states there is no official recommendation for probiotic use. People should speak with a healthcare professional to choose the correct probiotic and dosage and to determine how long to use the product.
Fermented foods have additional microbial cultures. Yogurt has probiotics in it as part of the manufacturing process. People can purchase yogurts high in probiotics in almost every grocery store.
Other foods that contain probiotics may include cereals, juices, milk, and nutrition bars. However, probiotic content will differ between brands.
The No. 1 women’s probiotic will vary, depending on the health concerns of the women who will be taking it. The following factors indicate quality in probiotic products:
- the product is manufactured under healthy conditions by a reliable company
- product is not promoted with unrealistic benefit claims
- the bacteria strains the product contains are clearly identified
- product packaging clearly states a high CFU count, plus storage and dosage recommendations
Complete and accurate statistics on which probiotics doctors recommend most often are not available. While some doctors may recommend using probiotics to address diarrhea, for example, some may not.
In general, physicians recommend that if a person uses probiotics, they use products with clear information and instructions, made by reputable manufacturers.
Some of the more widely used probiotics include:
- Lactobacillus
- Bifidobacterium
- Saccharomyces boulardii
General recommendations concerning probiotics for women do not currently exist.
However, probiotics may help address important aspects of women’s health, such as yeast infections, UTIs, BV, cervical cancer, digestive health, and immune system support. The following strains of probiotics may support these aspects of women’s health:
- Lactobacillus
- L. acidophilus
- L. rhamnosus
Gynecologists may recommend people take a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14.
Studies show these probiotic strains effectively prevent UTIs, which can result from the presence of bacteria that cause UTIs.
The best probiotic will:
- have a higher CFU count
- be a well-researched strain to treat conditions
- have a stable shelf life
- have a long expiration date
- carry certifications such as current good manufacturing practice or U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention
The best probiotic for women contains the correct bacteria for a person’s specific needs.
As with any supplement, a person should talk with a doctor before taking a probiotic, especially if they are on medication or have underlying health issues.
While probiotics may help some people, they do not cure any illness. If symptoms persist, an individual should consult a doctor.
People interested in taking a probiotic supplement should discuss it with a healthcare professional. They can help decide if probiotics would be beneficial and which strains may be most effective for specific health needs.