You’ve probably seen the sudden surge of a variety of yogurts and kefirs at your favorite grocery, and chances are you’ve also noticed the word ‘probiotics’ springing up on some products, from supplements to granola bars.
We all know to be wary of harmful bacteria, but good bacteria can be essential to a healthy and functioning gut ecosystem. Not only has it been shown to increase physical health and wellness, but more recently mental health and wellness have been the focus of probiotics’ benefits. They function as an organ and can weigh up to 3 pounds. They can trigger immune system reactions throughout your body and makeup about 85% of what’s going on in your intestines.
A healthy gut ecosystem can affect:
- Milk production in breastfeeding women
- Bowel issues, such as Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Ulcers
- Gluten sensitivities and Celiac disease
- Negative Effects of Poor Diet
- An upset balance of the good bacteria can cause yeast infections
- Healthy intestinal flora can prevent tumors
- If you eat food containing Genetically Modified Ingredients, your gut bacteria can suffer- Adding a probiotic to your diet can add the right stuff back to your intestinal system
- It can assist with stress-related bowel issues
How Do You Choose a Probiotic Supplement for Women?
When you are looking for a good probiotic, you may want to consider the following factors:
- An effective probiotic should contain ‘live, active cultures’ such as L. acidophilus and L. Bifidus cultures. Hundreds of different cultures exist, but these are best for digestive health.
- If you purchase a product with an enteric coated capsule, it will better survive stomach acids.
- Raw probiotics are often recommended as they will come from raw, living food.
- GMO products can inhibit the effects of probiotics
If your probiotic is working correctly, you should find yourself equipped with a stronger immune system, a better overall feeling of health and wellness, and better digestion (with fewer stomach issues).
Because women often suffer from intimate issues such as yeast infections and UTIs, some probiotics which are specifically formulated for women are engineered to help prevent some issues that women are far more prone to.
Best Probiotics for Women
1. Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic
These bacteria have been the most scientifically studied strains of probiotics, and these probiotics are delivered in a once a day vegetarian capsule (which will help the probiotics reach your intestinal tract). For those of you concerned about additives or possible sensitivities, this probiotic for women is gluten free, dairy free, and soy free, and the live cultures are guaranteed.
Keep your digestion on track and your intimate areas free of yeast infections and UTIs with this highly rated probiotic supplement designed specifically for women.
Pros
- Specifically Designed for Women
- Free from Dairy, Soy, Gluten
- Live Cultures Guaranteed
Cons
- Doesn’t have a delayed release
- Higher price point
- Needs to be Refrigerated
2. Bio Schwartz Advanced Strength Probiotic
This supplement contains over 40 billion CPUs of the 4 most researched culture strains in an attempt to promote healthy cholesterol, promote regularity, boost the immune system, support digestive help, help facilitate weight loss, improve mood, reduce fatigue, and boost nutrient absorption, all of which are things that women need, though it may not be categorized as ‘women’s needs.’
Bio Schwartz advertises that their product is 20x as effective in reaching the small (and large) intestine when compared to other brands due to their patented MAKTrek delivery protection system. They also guarantee potency until the expiration date, meaning that these probiotics will not become less efficient until they have passed that date. On top of that, they are shelf stable with no refrigeration required.
They are formulated by professionals, and the third party tested for purity and potency. On top of that, they are free from GMO ingredients and are 100% natural, as well as an allergen (including soy, egg, shellfish, corn, wheat, peanut, and sugar) free as well as being free from gluten.
If you are looking for an extremely potent probiotic to facilitate your health and wellness goals, this product fits the bill.
Pros
- Super high potency
- Patented delayed release technology
- No refrigeration required
- Non-GMO and third-party tested
- Allergen and gluten-free
Cons
- Not specifically formulated for women
- High potency may overwhelm the system
3. Ultimate Flora Women’s Probiotic
The 12 Probiotic strains include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum and can be found in the 90 billion live cultures pure capsule.
They are a High Lacto Probiotic and only need to be taken once daily in delayed release capsule form. They are vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free, and the only other ingredients are the vegetable capsule and cellulose.
As this product contains a particularly high amount of probiotics, if you are suffering from chronic conditions, including chronic yeast infections, this product may provide the punch that you need to get your system back into check.
Pros
- Contains a wide array of live cultures
- Delayed release
- Vegetarian
- Free from dairy and gluten
- High Lacto probiotic
Cons
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Smells artificial.
- Foams a lot.
4. Garden of Life RAW Probiotics for women
Not only is it billed for helping your immune system, but thyroid health is an added factor in this particular probiotic. It is coupled with a digestive enzyme supplement to deliver minerals, vitamins, and dairy-digesting enzymes along with the live cultures themselves. These enzymes may help further the beneficial effects of the probiotics, including bowel and digestive regularity, colon health, and vaginal health.
As a bonus, not only are the ingredients in this supplement raw, but they are gluten-free, vegetarian, and contain no fillers, binders, carriers, or soy allergens. New Life also ships directly from a warehouse with a cold pack to ensure that probiotics are still alive.
This particular women’s probiotic is a powerhouse when it comes to comparable products. Not only is it free from a lot of ingredients that you may want to stay away from, but it’s incredibly potent, so if you are looking for something that will shock your system into submission without any potentially harmful additives, look no further than Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for Women.
Pros
- Raw Ingredients
- Free of additives, including fillers, binders, carriers, gluten, and soy
- Extremely High Potency
- Specifically designed for Women
- Non-GMO
Cons
- Maybe hard on your system, if you are new to probiotics
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Higher price point
5. Probiotic Pearls Once Daily Women’s Probiotic
Not only are they comfortable on the system while providing active cultures of L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. Plantarum, they are also easy to swallow. They come in a soft gel that boasts a triple layer system, protecting the live cultures from environmental factors such as heat, air, moisture, and of course stomach acid so that the cultures can survive until they are delivered into the intestines. As a bonus, this also means that this product requires no refrigeration, so you can keep it in the cabinet or take it with you.
This product is also free of gluten, sugar, salt, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making it a pretty clean choice at a good price point.
So, if you’re looking for a probiotic that is effective but still gentle on your system (and wallet), Probiotic Pearls for Women is a great choice.
Pros
- Patented delayed action release
- Requires no refrigeration
- Free of gluten, sugar, salt, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Special protective Softgel
- Designed specifically for Women
Cons
- Not particularly potent
6. Nature’s Way Fortify Primadophilus Probiotic for Women
Its delayed-release capsules contain 30 billion active probiotic cultures primarily derived from Primadophilus, a healthy microflora found in well-functioning vaginal tracts, and lactobacilli, a key probiotic for women’s health specifically.
It is only necessary to take one delayed release capsule a day to achieve the desired effects of this probiotic. Though live cultures are guaranteed in this product, it does need to be refrigerated, and you’ll need to ensure that your delivery method includes chilled shipping.
Nature’s Way is known for their sourcing practices, and they ensure that you will be receiving top quality botanicals and ingredients that are free of GMOs and are made with the best manufacturing, sourcing, and testing practices.
Though there are some additives to this product, including magnesium stearate and silica, the fact that they adhere to a strict non-GMO promise (as GMOs can inhibit the effects of probiotics), you may want to go with this particular women’s probiotic as it comes at a great price point while containing super potent ingredients.
Pros
- Live cultures specifically formed for vaginal health
- Non-GMO and made with top quality botanicals.
- Specifically designed for Women
- Good price point
Cons
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Contains some additives such as magnesium stearate
7. HyperBiotics PRO-Women
In these specially designed capsules, you can find 5 billion colony forming units from 6 targeted strains which were particularly chosen to support immune and vaginal health. As an bonus, this probiotic for women contains cranberry extract and naturally occurring D-Mannose to increase the supplement effectiveness in curing and preventing vaginal issues such as UTI’s and yeast infections. These probiotics are also intended to promote weight loss and improve mood and energy levels.
PRO-Women is also lactose-free, gluten free, and vegetarian for those of you who are interested in maintaining a particular lifestyle. For those of you who also have difficulty keeping your probiotics in the refrigerator or would prefer to take them with you, no refrigeration is necessary as they are manufactured using a patented ‘LiveBac’ process, also giving it a longer shelf life than most products.
Pros
- Patented delayed release system
- Formulated specifically for women
- Contains cranberry extract and naturally occurring D-Mannose for those suffering from yeast infections and UTIs.
- Long shelf-life, no refrigeration needed
- Lactose, gluten-free and vegetarian
Cons
- Not as potent as other products
- Higher price point
8. Sedona Labs iFlora Probiotic for Women
As probiotics can often cause some stomach discomfort before curing it, it’s nice to know that this particular probiotic supplement is formed specially to prevent gas while providing a healthy microflora balance.
As it is designed for women, it supports vaginal and urinary tract health while attempting to balance yeast levels. The probiotic blend includes Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Streptococcus thermophilus. Though the only other ingredients listed include vegetable cellulose and stearate, this product is not certified gluten free, dairy free, or soy free, so if you are concerned with possible sensitivities or allergies, this might not be the best product for you. Keep in mind that this product is also recommended for twice a day use.
It does, however, come at a cheaper price point, so if that is something defining your decision, this would be a great product to try.
Pros
- Specifically formed to prevent gas
- Lower price point
- Specifically designed for women
Cons
- Not gluten, soy, or dairy free
- Needs to be refrigerated
- Doesn’t contain delayed-release capsule
9. Health Labs Nutra Probiotics for Women with Cranberry and D-Mannose
This fabulously reviewed women’s Probiotic contains 6 billion colony forming units of probiotics and cranberry extract in delayed-release capsules.
Not only are these capsules delayed the release, but they are acid resistant to ensure that they reach the farthest areas of your digestive tract as opposed to being destroyed by stomach acid. Ingredients include Sodium (Chloride), Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Cran Gyn, Vegetable Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide
For those of you with specific lifestyles or sensitivities, it is also free from dairy, gluten, wheat, corn, and soy, and on top of that it is Kosher, Vegetarian Certified and GMO-free. Their special formulation of probiotics is also designed to assist with easing cramps, bloating, constipation, and gas, so if these problems plague you monthly these women-specific probiotics may be in line with your needs!
If you’re on the fence about trying this product, they offer a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied (for any reason) and even pay the return shipping.
As a bonus, the manufacturer often offers great deals (such as 50% off!), so it’s worth giving it a try!
Pros
- Designed for Women
- Eases cramps
- Dairy, Gluten, Wheat, Corn, and Soy Free
- Kosher, Vegetarian, Certified non-GMO
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- Does have some additives
- Need to be refrigerated
10. Natural Riches Probiotics for Women
Though their sourcing practices appear to have a conscience, they are not certified as free from dairy, gluten, soy, wheat, or any other ingredients that may cause allergic reaction or irritation.
Their high potency product provides 30 billion colony forming units of Bacillus Coagulans, and is intended to not only support good digestive, immune, and vaginal health support, but also assists in the absorption of calcium, a big issue for women in general, but particularly women over 50. These ingredients come in a time release capsule to ensure that they make your way to essential parts of the GI Tract.
This purchase comes at a wonderfully low price point, but beyond that, the manufacturer offers a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
Pros
- High potency
- Good sourcing practices
- Specifically designed for Women
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- Not certified as gluten, soy, or dairy free
- Needs to be refrigerated
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct probiotic for you may seem intimidating- after all, they do offer some powerful effects, and you’re putting live creatures into your body. But they can indeed create some wonderful results when appropriately taken, including mood elevation, digestive relief, weight loss, and a variety of effects that are the result of a poor diet.
