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From less bloating and better digestion to fewer UTIs, probiotics may offer a range of potential benefits to women.
Probiotics are made up of healthy bacteria and yeast and support important functions of your gut microbiome, including nutrient absorption and immunity. They may also be useful for a range of digestive conditions.
Importantly, probiotics offer benefits specifically for women, such as supporting urinary tract and vaginal bacterial balance and protecting against bacterial infection. They may even help with acne.
Read on to learn how probiotics can support women’s health and to see our recommendations.
3 Third-party tested by an accredited lab to ensure purity and potency.
- Dietitian review: Each product on this list was reviewed by registered dietitians Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, and Kelli McGrane, MS, RD.
- Probiotic strains: We included products that contain probiotic strains that can offer support for bloating and UTIs, among other benefits for women.
- Ingredient quality: All products are made with high quality ingredients and are free from fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
- Storage: Probiotics have various storage requirements. We included mostly shelf-stable probiotics for extra convenience.
- Third-party testing: Many of the products included are tested by independent labs to verify purity and potency.
- Vetting: Each product and brand has been vetted to ensure that it meets Healthline’s medical and business standards. You can read more about our vetting process.
There are a few key factors to keep in mind when shopping for a probiotic supplement:
- Specific strains: Not all probiotic strains behave the same way, so consider which ones are included in the product. If you want to improve digestion, for example, you might look for a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bacillus coagulans. Alternatively, if you’re concerned about vaginal health, look for strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, and/or Lactobacillus rhamnosus. These and other strains may also help with bloating or to reduce the frequency of UTIs. Learn more about the best probiotic strains for women below.
- Other ingredients: Some probiotics will include additional ingredients like prebiotic fiber, postbiotics, or cranberry extract. These may offer additional benefits but could also be problematic for some people. For example, prebiotic fiber could actually worsen digestive symptoms in individuals with IBS. Alternatively, a probiotic that includes cranberry extract might further support vaginal health.
- CFU count: The CFU count in a probiotic supplement refers to the number of live bacteria it contains. Most supplements provide 1 to 10 billion CFU per serving, though this can vary. Look for a product that contains at least
100 million to 1 billion CFU , which is the minimum effective daily dose for probiotics. - Storage needs: Most probiotics are shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature, while others require refrigeration because they are more sensitive to heat and moisture.
- Third-party testing: Selecting a probiotic that has been tested by an independent lab or certified by a third-party organization, such as NSF International, can help verify its safety, quality, and strength.
- Dietary restrictions: Some products may be certified gluten-free or vegan, which is a key consideration for those with strict dietary needs.
If you do not consume many probiotic foods and experience chronic vaginitis or UTIs, you may consider a probiotic. While probiotics in general can be helpful for supporting the gut microbiome — which may in turn strengthen immunity and support mental health, among other things — they can be particularly impactful for women’s bodies.
Probiotics offer a range of potential benefits specifically for women, including:
possibly helping balance the vaginal microbiome- helping restore gut bacteria after a round of antibiotics and they
may prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use - alleviating symptoms related to IBS, ulcerative colitis, and other digestive conditions
- supporting heart health
Some probiotics also contain prebiotics to support digestive health. Prebiotics provide fuel for the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Probiotics offer a variety of potential benefits specifically for women, including supporting digestive health, as well urinary tract and vaginal bacterial balance.
Some probiotics may also help restore a healthy gut microbiome after taking a round of antibiotics, which can have negative effects on the gut.
While some women may benefit from taking a probiotic, not everyone needs one, and for some individuals, it could actually do more harm than good.
Thus, it’s important to discuss probiotics with your doctor first to determine the appropriate strain for your needs and whether you need one at all.
Different strains of probiotics offer different sets of benefits, so be sure to consider which aspects of health are most important to you.
For example, if gut health is your main priority, strains like Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus might be beneficial.
Meanwhile, other strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus reuteri can help support vaginal health and may even protect against issues like vaginitis.
Some women may benefit from taking a probiotic supplement for managing digestive and vaginal health and boosting immunity. Some women may not need them at all.
Because the benefits of probiotics vary greatly depending on the strain, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional about which probiotic product might be best for your health needs.
