The Fast Facts
- The best probiotic for women may aid gut, vaginal, and overall health by supporting bacteria found naturally in the body.
- Important probiotic strains for women may include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus reuteri.
- Our top picks include HUM Private Party Probiotic for vaginal health.
The table below compares our picks on their key features.
| Price | Product size | Bacteria strains | CFU | Daily dose | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual | $60 | 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 |
| Seed | $49.99 | 30 capsules (30-day supply) | 24 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 53.6 billion AFU | 2 capsules |
| Culturelle | $19.99 | 30 capsules (30 day supply) | L. rhamnosus GG | 10 billion | 1 capsule |
| Garden of Life | $41.99 | 90 capsules (30-day supply) | 32 strains, including L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium | 85 billion | 3 capsules |
| Thorne | $53 | 30 capsules (30-day supply) | L. gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium longum MM-2, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 Blend | 5 billion | 1 capsule |
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.
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
Taking probiotic supplements may offer a range of potential health benefits for women, including:
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
Probiotics for digestive health
Additionally, a
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consider discussing probiotics with a doctor before trying them. While research generally suggests that probiotics are safe during pregnancy and lactation, everyone reacts differently to them.
Consider the following points when exploring 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.
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.
If you experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, or changes to your vaginal health, you may wish to consider probiotics. However, whether probiotics are necessary or appropriate for your health will depend on the cause of your symptoms.
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.
The best probiotic for women will vary, depending on their health concerns and symptoms. We rate probiotics from Thorne, Culturelle, and HUM highly for females, as they contain probiotic blends that may help support vaginal health and reduce menopause symptoms.
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.
Probiotics have a number of potential health benefits, from improving gut health to maintaining balance in the vaginal microbiome and preventing UTIs. Our top picks include probiotic blends and strains supported by recent scientific research.
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.