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Probiotics support healthy bacterial balance and offer protection from infection. Garden of Life, Culturelle, and HUM are among the best probiotics for women. See what else our dietitians recommend.

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.

Read on to learn how probiotics can support women’s health and to see our recommendations.

ProductIntended supportCFU count Other active ingredients
Garden of Life Once Daily Women’s Probiotic3• digestive
• immune
• vaginal		50 billionprebiotics
Ritual Synbiotic+3• digestive
• immune		11 billion• prebiotics
• postbiotics
HUM Nutrition Private Party3• vaginal health
• urinary tract		10 billioncranberry extract
mindbodygreen Probiotic+3• digestive
• immune
• weight		32 billion—
Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic• digestive
• immune
• skin
• heart		53.6 billion (AFU)prebiotics
RenewLife Women’s Probiotic• digestive
• immune
• vaginal
• urinary tract		25 billion—
Ora Organic Lady Bugs3• digestive
• vaginal
• urinary tract
• immune		16 billion
Olly Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies3• digestive
• immune		500 millionprebiotics
Culturelle Women’s 4-in-1 Protection• digestive
• immune
• vaginal		15 billionprebiotics
Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan• urinary tract
• vaginal
• immune
• digestive		1 billion• vitamin A
• cranberry extract

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 be beneficial 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, and we included both shelf-stable and refrigerated probiotics.
  • 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:

  • Intended use: Probiotics are designed to address many health concerns. For example, some are specifically formulated to support digestive health, immune function, or reproductive health.
  • CFU count: The CFU count in a probiotic supplement refers to the amount of live bacteria it contains. Most supplements provide 1–10 billion CFU per serving, though this can vary. Look for a product that contains at least 100 million–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.

Probiotics offer a range of benefits specifically for women. For example, some probiotics may help balance the vaginal microbiome to protect against infections such as bacterial vaginosis.

They can also help restore gut bacteria after you’ve taken antibiotics, and they may prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use. Additionally, probiotics may be useful for the treatment of IBS, ulcerative colitis, and other digestive conditions.

Some supplements also contain prebiotics to support digestive health, which provide fuel for the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

For some, increasing intake of prebiotics can be a simple and effective way to support gut health. However, prebiotics can have side effects and may not work well for everyone.

Probiotics may be a good option for people who don’t consume many probiotic foods, and who are interested in promoting the health of their gut microbiome and to possibly improve immune function.

Additionally, some probiotic products are formulated to treat or prevent specific conditions, such as urinary tract infections and chronic vaginitis. Therefore, they may be worth trying (alongside other treatment options) if you frequently deal with these issues.

However, while probiotics can be beneficial for several conditions, not everyone needs a probiotic supplement, and they should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment. A doctor can provide personalized recommendations on whether probiotics may be beneficial on based your specific health concerns.

Additionally, if you experience side effects that are severe or do not improve after several days, it’s recommended to stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.

A note on probiotic supplements

No two microbiomes are the same, and probiotics may affect people differently. For this reason, it could take some trial and error to find a supplement that works for you.

Keep in mind that probiotics aren’t necessary or appropriate for everyone. Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before adding probiotics to your diet.

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Ritual Synbiotic+ is our pick for the best probiotic for gut health because it contains a three-in-one blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics designed to support the health of the gut microbiome.

Plus, it contains specific strains of probiotics that may be beneficial, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has been shown to reduce IBS symptoms such as bloating and stomach pain.

It’s also formulated with Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, which may help support regularity and strengthen the gut barrier.

Healthcare professionals generally recommend choosing a probiotic supplement that contains a blend of multiple probiotic strains and at least 100 million–1 billion CFU, which can help make sure that you can take advantage of the many potential benefits of probiotics.

They may also provide recommendations for probiotics that may be a good fit based on your specific health concerns.

Garden of Life Once Daily Women’s Probiotic contains three strains that have been shown to be beneficial for weight loss. As a result, the product may be a good addition to a healthy weight loss regimen.

Ritual Synbiotic+ contains Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, another strain that may be beneficial for weight loss. However, more research is needed.

We chose Garden of Life’s Once Daily Women’s Probiotic as our top probiotic for women, thanks to its ingredient quality and probiotic content along with the brand’s thorough third-party testing practices.

However, there are many other great options designed to address specific health concerns, including HUM Nutrition’s Private Party for vaginal health, Bio-Kult’s Pro-Cyan for urinary tract support, and Ritual’s Synbiotic+ for digestive health.

Many probiotic strains may be especially beneficial for women, including Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, among others.

However, keep in mind that everyone’s gut microbiome is unique and probiotic supplements can affect individuals differently. A healthcare professional can provide recommendations for specific strains or products that might be a good fit for you.

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.