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The best probiotic for women may aid gut, vaginal, and overall health by supporting bacteria found naturally in the body. However, research on the effectiveness of probiotics in treating various illnesses is ongoing.
- Best for vaginal health: Wisp Daily Probiotics
- Best for gut health: Ritual Synbiotic+
- Best for urinary tract health: HUM Private Party Supplements
- Best personalized: Persona Daily Probiotic
- Best for travel: Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic Capsules
- Best for women over 50: Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Women 50 & Wiser
- Best when taking antibiotics: Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement
- Best for purity: Pure Encapsulations Probiotic G.I.
- Best for vaginal pH: Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics
- Best for constipation: Thorne Bacillus Coagulens
- Best natural probiotic: Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Women
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
A probiotic is a live microorganism that may benefit a person when
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
Further
Probiotics
A range of foods, particularly fermented foods like yogurt and miso, may contain probiotics.
MNT chooses the best probiotics for women by considering the following factors:
CFUs
Most probiotic manufacturers measure bacteria count
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
We have vetted brands and choose products that do not make unsubstantiated health claims or promises.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for vaginal health: Wisp Daily Probiotics
- Price: $30
- Product size: 180 tablets (90 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: Lactobillus acidophilus
- CFU: 200 billion
- Dose: 2 capsules
Wisp claims these probiotics may help to support vaginal health and prevent chronic bacterial vaginosis (BV) or chronic UTIs.
Wisp recommends these probiotics if people are using antibiotics or antifungal drugs for vaginal infections.
One bottle contains 180 tablets, equivalent to a 90-day supply. Each capsule contains 200 billion CFU of Lactobillus acidophilus.
Wisp suggests taking one tablet twice daily and states that health improvements should be noticeable within six weeks.
The product contains gelatin and is unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Wisp offers free delivery, subscription options, and the ability to speak with an in-house pharmacist or medical professional.
Best for gut health: Ritual Synbiotic+
- Price: $54
- Product size: 30 capsules (30 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium animalis
- CFU: 11 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule
Ritual claims that its Synbiotic+ product helps balance the gut microbiome. It contains a blend of prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic bacteria.
The bottle contains 30 capsules. Each capsule has 11 billion CFU and different bacterial strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
It is vegan and free from major allergens, including gluten.
Ritual claims this probiotic blend may ease bloating, gas, and diarrhea, alongside supporting immune system health.
A person can take one capsule daily in either the morning or evening without food. This probiotic does not require refrigeration.
Ritual offers free shipping and a money-back guarantee.
Read our review of Ritual vitamins here.
Best for urinary tract health: HUM Private Party Supplements
- Price: $26
- Product size: 30 capsules (30 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri
- CFU: 10 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule
HUM claims its Private Party supplements support the urinary tract and balance the vaginal microbiome.
Individuals receive 30 capsules when ordering a bottle of these supplements.
This probiotic contains 10 billion CFU and strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri, alongside cranberry extract.
The capsules are vegan and do not contain artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and GMOs. They are also free from:
People can take one Private Party supplement daily and may experience noticeable effects within 8 weeks.
Best personalized: Persona Daily Probiotic
- Price: $0.50 daily
- Product size: Varies
- Bacteria strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Amount of bacteria: 3 billion CFU
- Dose: 1 capsule, 3 time daily
Persona is a personalized vitamin subscription service, offering supplement recommendations specific to a person’s health and wellness goals.
Persona claims this probiotic can support healthy digestion, immune health, and emotional wellbeing.
Each capsule contains 10 billion CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
The company recommends people take the probiotic differently depending on the time of day:
- in the morning, take with or after breakfast
- in the evening, take with a snack or dinner
- at night, take an hour before going to bed
Persona states that this product is non-GMO and free from:
However, the company also says that it manufactures the probiotics in a facility that handles these allergens, so cross-contamination may occur. These capsules contain gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Read our review of Persona vitamins here.
Best for travel: Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic Capsules
- Price: $19.99-23.99
- Product size: 30-50 (30-50 day supply)
- Bacteria strain: Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- CFU 10 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule
These capsules include L. rhamnosus GG, which may help support digestive health and ease bloating and diarrhea. Additionally, it contains the prebiotic inulin to support the gut’s microbiome.
Culturelle states that this supplement may reduce digestive symptoms from traveling.
These probiotics are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. They are free from GMOs and the following allergens:
- gluten
- dairy
- eggs
- gelatin
- tree nuts
- peanuts
Culturelle recommends that individuals should take 1 capsule daily. People can also take an additional capsule when experiencing digestive symptoms or travelling, taking one capsule in the morning and one in the evening.
This product does not require refrigeration.
Enjoy 20% off with code “guthealth”.
Best for women over 50: Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Women 50 & Wiser
- Price: $40
- Product size: 90 capsules (30 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: 32 different strains, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
- CFU: 85 billion
- Dose: 3 capsules
Garden of Life’s Raw probiotics capsules contains a high bacteria CFU of 85 billion and 33 different types of bacteria, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium.
These supplements also contain multiple vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, D, E, calcium, and folate, alongside an enzyme blend.
Garden of Life claims these probiotics may suit women over 50 by supporting digestive health, immune function, nutrient absorption, thyroid function, and healthy cholesterol levels.
These capsules are vegetarian and free from GMOs, gluten, binders, fillers, and carriers.
Garden of Life recommends taking 3 capsules daily. This product requires refrigeration.
Best when taking antibiotics: Florastor Daily Probiotic Supplement
- Price: $25-60
- Product size:54-100 (30-50 day supply)
- Yeast strain: S. boulardii
- Amount of yeast: 250 mg per capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules, 1-2 times daily
This Florastor supplement contains the probiotic yeast S. boulardii, which
The yeast probiotics in these supplements are not measured in CFU. Instead, Florastor states that each capsule contains 250 mg of S. boulardii per capsule.
These probiotics are suitable for vegetarians. They are free from gluten and GMOs.
According to Florastor, this probiotic supplement will not interact with antibiotics, and may help the body break down undigested sugar and carbohydrates. It does not require refrigeration.
Best for purity: Pure Encapsulations Probiotic G.I.
- Price: $41.30
- Product size:60 capsules (60 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: 6 different strains, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
- CFU: 10 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule
This probiotic contains 10 billion CFU per capsule and has six strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Pure Encapsulations claims that this product may help benefit gastrointestinal health by maintaining cellular activity, supporting the intestinal barrier, and improving immune function.
These probiotics are suitable for vegetarians. They are hypoallergenic, meaning they do not contain allergens, including:
- gluten
- dairy
- eggs
- wheat
- soy
- tree nuts
- peanuts
These probiotics are also free from GMOs, artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners, binders, fillers, preservatives, trans fats, shellacs, and coating.
People should take 1 capsule daily. The company recommends refrigerating the probiotic.
Best for vaginal pH: Love Wellness Good Girl Probiotics
- Price: $29.99
- Product size:60 capsules (30 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: 8 different strains, including L. acidophilus and L. Gasseri
- CFU: 1 billion
- Dose: 2 capsules
This probiotic has 1 billion CFUs and 8 different strains of probiotics, including L. acidophilusandL. Gasseri. It comes in the form of a capsule.
Love Wellness claims the product may help maintain vaginal pH balance and can support the vaginal microbiome. It is free from gluten, dairy, and preservatives.
The company recommends emptying the capsules into a drink or smoothie for those who find it hard to swallow pills. The product does not require refrigeration, and people can take it without food.
Best for constipation: Thorne Bacillus Coagulans
- Price: $30
- Product size:60 capsules (60 day supply)
- Bacteria strain: Bacillus Coagulans
- CFU: 2 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule, 2-3 times a day
This probiotic contains a minimum of 2 billion CFU of Bacillus Coagulans per capsule.
Thorne claims this probiotic is suitable for those who wish to support their bowel function. This product may help ease occasional gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
These probiotics are suitable for vegans and free from artificial flavors, gluten, dairy, and soy.
Thorne says people should take 1 capsule two or three times daily.
Best natural probiotic: Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Vaginal Care
- Price: $38
- Product size:60 capsules (60 day supply)
- Bacteria strains: 38 different strains, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
- CFU: 50 billion
- Dose: 1 capsule
This probiotic has 50 billion CFUs and 38 different strains of probiotics, including L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. It comes in the form of a capsule.
Ingredients include kefir yogurt, an enzyme blend, and raw vegetable and fruit extracts.
These vegetarian probiotics are free from GMOs, gluten, soy, binders, fillers, or carriers. However, it contains egg and dairy.
Garden of Life recommends taking one capsule daily. This product does not need refrigeration.
The following table compares the probiotics for women in this article on key features:
| Price | Product size | Bacteria strains | CFU | Daily dose | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisp Daily | $30 | 180 tablets (90 day supply) | L. acidophilus | 200 billion | 2 tablets |
| Ritual Synbiotic+ | $54 | 30 capsules (30 day supply) | L. rhamnosus, B. animalis | 11 billion | 1 capsule |
| HUM Private Party | $26 | 30 capsules (30 day supply) | L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Persona Daily | $0.50 daily | Varies | L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, L. salivarius, L. bulgaricus | 10 billion | 3 capsules |
| Culturelle Digestive Daily | $19.99-23.99 | 30-50 capsules (30-50 day supply) | L. rhamnosus GG | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Garden of Life Women 50 & Wiser | $40 | 90 capsules (30 day supply) | 32 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 85 billion | 3 capsules |
| Florastor Daily | $25-60 | 54-100 capsules (27-50 day supply) | S. boulardii | Not stated | 2 capsules |
| Pure Encapsulations Probiotic G.I. | $41.30 | 60 capsules (60 day supply) | 6 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Love Wellness Good Girl | $29.99 | 60 capsules (30 day supply) | 8 strains, including L. acidophilus, L. Gasseri | 1 billion | 2 capsules |
| Thorne Bacillus Coagulans | $30 | 60 capsules (60 day supply) | Bacillus Coagulans | 2 billion | 2-3 capsules |
| Garden of Life Vaginal Care | $38 | 30 capsules (30 day supply) | 38 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 50 billion | 1 capsule |
Taking probiotic supplements may offer a range of potential health benefits for women:
Probiotics for vaginal health
A
A 2016 review found that L. acidophilus had equivalent benefits to metronidazole in the short-term treatment of BV. The same review notes that L. casei Shirota may aid HPV viral clearance.
Learn more about probiotics for vaginal health here.
Probiotics for digestive health
A
A
It is important to understand that not all probiotics are
The health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and probiotics for overall health often contain a lot of live microorganisms rather than single strains. This makes it difficult for a person to determine whether research supports the health benefits that the manufacturers claim.
It is much more important for an individual to support their overall health by focusing on diet and lifestyle as a whole rather than on taking one specific supplement.
People should ensure they are:
- eating a healthy diet
- getting enough sleep
- aiming to reduce stress
- avoiding smoking
- avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
Healthy gut bacteria
These measures are more important for a person’s overall digestive health and maintaining a healthy microbiome than taking a probiotic.
A person taking probiotic supplements may experience the following side effects:
- gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and gas
- dermatological symptoms such as rashes or acne
If these side effects are severe or last longer than 2 weeks, a person should see a doctor. While taking probiotics is mostly safe. In rare cases, it
The following are common questions and answers about probiotics for women:
What are probiotics good for?
Some studies suggest that taking a probiotic supplement may help with conditions
However, research on the benefits of probiotics is ongoing.
What are the signs you need probiotics?
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
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 are not a cure for 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.