Complete Guide To The Best Probiotic Supplements For Women

best probiotic supplements for women

​A recent survey showed that 2% of the US population now takes a probiotic, and that their use quadrupled between 2007-2012. 

With so much recent publicity around probiotics, you probably know by now that probiotics they're key to a healthy digestive system, but did you know that there are different strains of them?

While they all will be helpful in their own way, it may be worth taking notice of the certain strains that are more specific to you.

So, what's the best probiotic for women?

In addition to an improvement in general gut healthy, women particularly can gain even more benefits from probiotics including improvement to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, mood swings, and urinary and vaginal health.

With so many on the market, I’ve reviewed the best probiotic supplements for women for you to try!


Why Do women Need Probiotics?


In addition to probiotics being great for children, they also have some very great uses specific to the female body. Many brands claim to make some of the top probiotic supplements, but what really makes them great for women?

Well for starters, women are much more susceptible to constipation and bloating than men. To be specific, the most effective bacterial strain that would help with these symptoms is ‘Lactobacillus Plantarum’.

Studies have shown that this strain eases women’s abdominal pain along with easing symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In addition to easing some more serious symptoms, probiotics help drastically improve the pH balance in the vaginal area.

Returning your body to the natural alkalinity it needs will reduce the amount of UTIs you get, along with reducing symptoms of itching and bacterial vaginosis.


5 Best Probiotic Supplements For Women


Image

Model

# of Capsules

Probiotic Strains

Price

Rating

Buy Now

Garden of life

Garden of Life

30

16

$$

Renew Life

Renew Life

60

10

$$$$

Vitamin Bounty

Vitamin Bounty

60

6

$$

Naturewise

Nature Wise

40

8

$

Natural riches

Natural Riches

60

10

$$


Natural Probiotic Support For Women


Even frozen yogurt can still contain live cultures, but this is generally reduced to about 10 million cultures per gram.

Live active culture yogurt should contain at least 100 million cultures per gram.

This shows that the yogurt has not been heated after the fermentation process, keeping the good bacteria alive.

You will need to carefully read the labels to find that it contains “live active cultures.”

The most popular fermented food is probably yogurt. Not all yogurts contain the cultures you need though.

Fermented food is a best way to get your daily dose of probiotics. Foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, and pickles all go through the fermentation process and grow healthy bacteria that’s good for our gut.

However, if supplements aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other natural solutions in the form of food.

Probiotic supplements are really ideal for women who aren’t getting enough in their diet. That actually includes many of us!


Healthy Foods & Drinks


Why not try some other fermented foods? Many are already familiar with sauerkraut, or pickled cabbage.

A study published in 2012 in the British Journal of Nutrition suggested that sauerkraut even has cancer-fighting properties.

Another food you can try is kimchi. Kimchi is a dish of fermented vegetables like cabbage, radishes, and scallions.

It has a red pepper or salted shrimp taste to it. Kimchi is suggested to not only be gut-healthy but also aids in maintaining weight, or even some weight loss.

There are a couple of fermented drinks you can try too.

Kefir is a dairy drink but is a good choice for those with a lactose intolerance as it reduces the effects of lactose including cutting back on gas and bloating.

Another choice is kombucha, a fermented drink made from back tea and a gelatinous disc called a SCOBY.

The SCOBY has good bacteria and yeast, but it' suggested that you make your own at home and drink it within a few days.


Probiotics Are Essential For Urinary And Vaginal Health


Three out of every four women in their life will have experienced at least one yeast infection in their life. It’s a horrible, uncomfortable infection that seems to hit at the worst moments.

Thankfully probiotics can play a role in preventing yeast infections and improving vaginal health, as well as the urinary system.

There are two probiotics that will specifically help vaginal health: L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus.

Research shows that these two strains specifically help fight against yeast infections (thrush), cystits, and bacterial vaginosis.

These strains in particular are found to survive the gut and be able to travel to the bladder and vaginal area to colonize.

It’s thought that conditions such as yeast infections, cystitis, and bacterial vaginosis begin with pathogens in the intestinal tract.

A study in 2004 showed that women with bacterial vaginosis were able to restore their natural flora with a daily probiotic better than those who did not consume one.

Folk medicine has also suggested that natural yogurt can help during a yeast infection, by eating it and using it around the vaginal area.

Probiotics are also useful against urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs occur when bacteria from the gut travels to the vaginal area and disrupts the good bacteria.

This can be from wiping from back to front, after sex, or waiting too long to urinate.

A study with probiotics showed that they helped stop reoccurring UTIs, more so than women who were given a placebo.

If reoccurring UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, cystitis, or yeast infections is a problem for you, then consider a probiotic supplement that has those all-important L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus strains.


Women Who Would Particularly Benefit From Probiotics


While probiotics are great for everybody, some people might need an extra boost more than others.

Healthy guts lead to healthy bodies, but there are many women out there who suffer with gastrointestinal issues.

These issues bring discomfort, bloating, and constipation, gas, and more.

In these cases, probiotics are particularly useful for bringing back a balanced gut that can help reduce GI tract disorder symptoms.

Probiotics are good bacteria that your gut needs to maintain a functioning digestive system.

They help your gut absorb all the good nutrients found in food and keep the bad bacteria that make us sick at bay.

When it’s off-balance and bad bacteria is overtaking good bacteria, it’s known as dysbiosis. You can feel the effect of this through bloating, cramps, gas, and more.

Probiotics will help bring your gut flora back to where it should be. A daily supplement can be taken as a preventative measure to keep good bacteria thriving.

If you’re already experiencing GI issues, then a probiotic will reduce the symptoms that come with it.

Probiotics can also be taken when you’re traveling or under a lot of stress.

These two things can also disrupt the balance in the gut, but probiotics will maintain a healthy gut while native flora comes back into place.

It’s not just GI tract problems that should prompt women to try probiotics. Consistent headaches, stuffy nose, and problem skin can all benefit from probiotic use.

If there’s more bad bacteria than good in your gut, it can cause problems like inflammation. This is reflected in the form of joint problems and even acne.

A focus on a healthy gut can mean a healthy body! Next time who have a GI flare up or a bout of acne, reach for those probiotics!


Best Daily Probiotic For Women


We’ve established that women’s health needs are different than men’s, and for that reason, it’s imperative to find the right probiotics that have those all-important strains for urogenital health, L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus.

Garden of Life Probiotics for Women has just that and more.

L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, and L. fermentum are all present in Garden of Life’s probiotics for women, promoting vaginal health.

The lactobaccilus acidophilus and bifidobacterial will help with nutrient absorption and bring relief from constipation.

There are another 11 strains, making a total of 50 billion CFUs in this daily probiotic supplement for women.

This product was formulated by doctors who have expertise in the human microbiome.

You only need to take one capsule a day.

They are gluten-free, soy-free, and safe for vegetarians. They are also resistant against stomach acid, ensuring your body gets as much of the probiotic as possible.

Keep that gut healthy and the rest of the body will follow!

These are the best probiotics for women that will keep a well-functioning gut and see skin and joint problems reduced.


Garden Of Life Probiotic Supplement For Women


Garden of Life

Garden of Life’s probiotics have been developed by a doctor involved with the American College of Nutrition.

This probiotic supplement has 50 billion CFU’s and includes strains like L. reuteri and L. fermentum which is ideal for vaginal health. It has 16 strains in total.

It's sure to support digestive health and immune systems and therefore I think this is one of the best female probiotic supplements.

This supplement has also been designed for being stored on a shelf rather than in the refrigerator.

It comes in a specially lined bottled to ensure there is no diminishing potency before the expiration date.

However, this doesn’t mean it can be exposed to high temperatures, so keep it in a cool, dry place!


Best Daily Probiotic For Pregnant Women



Pink Stork - Pro Prenatal Probiotic


Pink Stork Prenatal Probiotics

Pregnancy can bring its own horrible symptoms, especially in the first trimester.

This can include bloating, excess gas, heartburn, and the dreaded morning sickness (which we know can be at any time – not just mornings!)

Thankfully, there are probiotics out there that can help, even during pregnancy.

Pink Stork have the perfect prenatal probiotic for women suffering from those not-so-wonderful symptoms that come with pregnancy!

Pink Stork is formulated specifically with pregnant women in mind.

It promotes good bacteria within the gut with 8 billion CFUs.

The primary strands found in this probiotic are L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

These keep the morning sickness-causing bacteria like H. pylori at a minimum with the production of healthy lactic acid.

It’s also a helpful choice for moms-to-be who already suffer from GI tract problems like irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance.

It will keep yeast infections away too, which can be common during pregnancy thanks to fluctuating hormones.

Pink Stork Prenatal Probiotics are made with only the finest ingredients. It’s non-GMO, sugar-free, gluten-free, and preservative-free. It’s completely safe for pregnant women to take.

Don’t let those pregnancy hormones take over and get your gut down.

Try Pink Stork Prenatal Probiotics, the best probiotic for pregnancy, to keep that morning sickness away and continue with your day without worry.


Best Probiotics For Women Over 50


As we get older, changes in our body mean we need to change the way we take care of ourselves.

Our needs may be greater in order to keep a healthy, functioning system, especially in the gut.

Renew Life have developed the best probiotic for women over 50 that has been specifically formulated for those needs.

While we can all benefit from probiotics, the strains ideal for a child may not be the same for those over 50. Renew Life have identified the best strains that over 50’s can benefit from and put them in a convenient capsule.

These strains include Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, the most common strains proven to help the digestive tract.

The presence of bifidobacteria can naturally decrease with age, and Renew Life has three different strains of it to keep it plentiful in the gut.

It also helps keep you regular!

Additionally, these strains can help improve mood, provide energy, and support a healthy immune system, preventing a decrease that often comes with age.

If you’re looking for the best probiotic for women over 50, then Renew Life Adult 50+ Ultimate Flora is ideal.

With 30 billion CFUs, this daily supplement will keep your gut in check and allow you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.


Renew Life Ultimate Flora Extra Care Probiotic


Renew Life

One particularly beneficial strain of probiotics for women is Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Renew Life has a capsule that contains not only that, but also nine other strains, including the more well-known L.casei (often found in yogurts).

These can help tremendously with pesky urinary tract and yeast infections.

With 50 billion CFU’s per dosage, you’re sure to get plenty of what you need to replenish and maintain a healthy gut.

The capsules are dairy and gluten-free, which is great for those suffering with gut ailments due to a gluten allergy.


Other Probiotics For Women



Vitamin Bounty - Women's Pro-Daily


Vitamin Bounty

Vitamin Bounty’s probiotics supplement for women may have only 10 billion CFU’s compared to the previous two’s abundance, but don’t let that put you off.

A 10 billion CFU’s probiotic daily supplement is more than able to help you maintain a healthy gut.

Vitamin Bounty contain Prebiotic FOS, which is actually a food source for the probiotics, helping them to thrive. 

Not only that, but their patented delayed-release capsule is designed to help protect the probiotic from stomach acid.

They have added minerals and extracts that are also used in combination with the probiotic to help with women’s health issues.



NatureWise Women's Probiotic With Cranberry & D-Mannose


Naturewise

NatureWise’s time release probiotics for women also contain cranberry, which has been proven to help with urinary health.

D-Mannose is a type of sugar that's believed to also help with urinary tract health, and also sometimes acts as a prebiotic, which, as I previously pointed out, can help feed the probiotic. 

NatureWise’s probiotic supplement has six billion CFU’s, 

but claim that their capsule was designed to deliver the same amount you would get from a brand with normal capsules, as it will protect from stomach acid more.

Besides, six billion CFU’s is perfect for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

With the added cranberry and D-Mannose, this is one of the best probiotics supplements for women who want to maintain a healthy urinary tract system as well.


Natural Riches Probiotics For Women


Natural riches

This probiotic supplement for women boasts to be one of the most effective, promoting the usual digestive, urinary, and vaginal health, but also supporting the gut in absorbing calcium and vitamins and in relief from diarrhoea, constipation, IBS, Crohn’s Disease, gas and even allergies!

They also support colon health and help with colon polyps.

Like a few others, Natural Riches has added prebiotics to help aid in the growth of the healthy bacteria.

There are 15 billion CFU’s per dosage at a recommended two doses a day.

We're learning more and more about probiotics all the time, with interest first peaking in the mid-90’s.

For a long time now, we have known probiotics to help digestive functions by providing good bacteria, but we’re now discovering that their benefits go way beyond that.

So ladies, what are you waiting for?

These are some of the best probiotic supplements for women out on the market now, and I’m sure you’ll find the one that works best for you and your body!