The Fast Facts
- Some of the most important nutrients for women include B12, folate, calcium, vitamin D, and iron.
- The FDA does not evaluate multivitamins for safety; however, all the products we feature undergo independent third-party testing for contaminants.
- The best multivitamin for women offers high quality ingredients to support different stages of life, such as menopause and pregnancy. Among our picks are Ritual and Thorne.
- Best multivitamin with iron: One A Day Women's Petites Complete Multivitamin Tablets | Skip to review
Many products are available to meet the needs of women at every stage of life, including prenatal vitamins and those designed specifically for athletes or older women.
Here, we look at the best multivitamins available to buy online, including what our experts, editors, and testers thought about the products they tried.
| Multivitamin | Price | Servings per container | Dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual Women’s Multivitamin 18+ | $33 | 30 | 2 capsules daily |
| Thorne Women’s Multi 50+ | $56 | 30 | 3 to 6 capsules daily |
| Nature Made Multi For Her | $11.49 | 90 | 1 tablet daily |
| Persona Foundational Multivitamin | around $13.60 per month | 28 | 1 capsule daily |
| One A Day | $12.95 | 80 | 2 tablets daily |
| OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi Gummies | $12.99 | 45 | 2 gummies daily |
| Thorne Basic Prenatal | $37 | 30 | 3 capsules daily |
Medical News Today chose multivitamins for women that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: The multivitamins contain safe and high quality ingredients that are clearly labeled. The company also confirms these are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dosage: All products clearly state the supplement dosage.
- Third-party testing: All multivitamins we feature undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis: MNT chooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
When looking for multivitamins for females, people can consider:
- Their age: Some multivitamins are formulated for females in specific age groups. The formulas in these multivitamins will contain varying amounts of certain vitamins and nutrients based on what people need as they age.
- Ingredients: Certain nutrients are
particularly important for female bodies. These include B12, folate, calcium, vitamin D, and iron. These support healthy blood cells, bones, connective tissues, and nerves, as well as pregnancy, hormones, and the immune system.
Medical Perspective“Most nutrient needs are met by consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein including legumes and beans, low fat dairy products, and nuts and seeds. However, if you do take a multivitamin, do not exceed the recommended intake because an excessive amount may lead to health risks.”
— Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT
It is important to note that the
According to the
The NIH notes that the term “multivitamin” can refer to supplements with only a few ingredients or to those containing a wide array of vitamins and minerals. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a multivitamin should contain the following vitamins:
- vitamin A: no more than 5,000 international units (IU)
- vitamin B1 (thiamin): 1.2 mg or more
- vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 1.7 mg or more
- vitamin B3 (niacin): 14 to 35 mg
- vitamin B6: 2 to 100 mg
- vitamin B12: 6 micrograms (mcg) or more
- vitamin C: 60 to 1,000 mg
- vitamin D: 400 IU or more
- vitamin E: 20 to 100 IU
- vitamin K: 10 mcg or more
NASM states that multivitamins should also contain the following minerals:
The
Additionally, a person should consult a doctor before taking a multivitamin.
Eating a well-balanced diet can provide most of the vitamins and minerals a person needs to maintain their health. However, multivitamins can be helpful for people with dietary gaps.
Research from 2022 suggests that some groups of people have a higher risk of vitamin deficiency, including:
- older adults
- young children
- pregnant people
- those living in low or middle-income countries
- individuals with selective diets or those who exclude a specific food group, such as a vegan diet
- those with malabsorption disorders, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
- people with alcohol use disorder
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that folate benefits people of reproductive age and that these individuals need
The NIH says that adults ages 19 to 50 years need at least
Potassium helps promote basic cell functioning. The NIH states that adult females need at least
While multivitamins are popular supplements, they may not be suitable for everyone.
There is always a possibility that vitamins or minerals in multivitamins may interact with medications, making them less effective or increasing the risk of experiencing side effects. People should always consult a healthcare professional if they are already taking medication.
Males and females often benefit from differing vitamin and mineral types, quantities, and combinations. With this in mind, some companies develop specific formulas of supplements, vitamins, shakes, and health bars. A person should discuss their options with a doctor or healthcare professional who can help them decide, and choose the product they feel works best for them and their needs.
Multivitamins can help fill nutrient gaps in otherwise balanced diets. However, people need to aim to meet the bulk of their vitamin and mineral needs through diet.
The best multivitamin for females depends on their age and preference. Those over 50 may need more nutrients than those under 50, for example.
Multivitamins are generally safe to take. However, they can cause gastrointestinal side effects in some people and may interact with medications. Vitamin A and beta carotene can also increase the risk of lung cancer in current or previous smokers.
It is best to speak with a doctor before taking them to ensure proper dosage and help minimize side effects.
Multivitamin pills may be more difficult to swallow for some people, making multivitamin gummies easier to take. They may also taste nicer, depending on the flavor. However, multivitamin gummies may contain ingredients some people prefer to avoid, such as gelatin.
There’s no single “best” brand of multivitamin for everyone, as the right choice depends on a person’s age, diet, and health needs.
Popular multivitamin brands include Ritual, Thorne, Nature Made, and Persona.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, the following vitamins are particularly important for women to take:
- folic acid (during pregnancy)
- vitamin B12
- vitamin D
- calcium
- iron
However, the top vitamins a woman should take will depend on their age and preference.
Multivitamins can help some people address nutritional deficiencies at different points. For instance, many health authorities suggest that individuals take folic acid supplements to support fetal health during pregnancy.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate multivitamins, and research on their benefits is mixed.
If someone wishes to take multivitamins, they need to speak with a doctor first.
Looking for more of the best multivitamins? Check out: