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The best probiotic for women may aid gut, vaginal, and overall health by supporting bacteria found naturally in the body. Here, we review 9 vetted options.
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 they consume it in the right amounts.
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, including:
chronic illness
a side effect of taking antibiotics and other medications
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
When choosing the best probiotics, we considered the following factors:
CFUs
Most probiotic manufacturers measure bacteria count according to colony-forming units, or CFU. 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.
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.
Taking probiotic supplements may offer a range of potential health benefits for women:
Probiotics for vaginal health
A 2019 meta-analysis observed that probiotics might inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis and help maintain a bacterial balance. However, more research is necessary to support these findings.
2018 research observed participants taking probiotics containing L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus GR-1, and L. fermentum RC-14 strains at a dose of 10 CFU/day over two months. The researchers found this inhibits bacterial growth associated with vaginosis, reducing the risk of vaginal infections.
A 2022 controlled trial found that oral L. rhamnose was more effective at treating BV in the short- and long-term than metronidazole.
A 2018 meta-analysis states that some specific Lactobacillus strains may ease adult antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
A 2019 review found that the L. rhamnosus GG strain has protective factors that may benefit gut health, such as inhibiting some salmonella bacteria’s growth.
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 feed on fiber and some other prebiotic foods, so experts recommend that people eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables.
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 two weeks, a person should see a doctor. While taking probiotics is mostly safe. In rare cases, it can lead to a serious fungal or bacterial infection.
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 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.
Should you take probiotics daily?
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 how long to use the product.
What food is highest in probiotics?
Fermented foods have additional microbial cultures. Yogurt has probiotics in it as part of the manufacturing process. People can purchase yogurts high in probiotics in almost every grocery store.
Other foods that contain probiotics may include cereals, juices, milk, and nutrition bars. However, probiotic content will differ between brands.
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.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Connell M, et al. (2018) Systematic review and meta-analysis: Efficacy of patented probiotic, VSL#3, in irritable bowel syndrome [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30069978/
Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka K, et al. (2020). Saccharomyces boulardii Cncm i-745: a non-bacterial microorganism used as probiotic agent in supporting treatment of selected diseases. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7415030/
Salminen S, et al. (2021). The international scientific association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41575-021-00440-6
