The Best Probiotics for Women of 2023, According to Registered Dietitians

• Best overall: Garden of Life Once Daily Women’s Probiotic | Skip to review
• Best for digestive health: Ritual Synbiotic+ | Skip to review
• Best for vaginal health: HUM Nutrition Private Party | Skip to review
• Best subscription: Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic | Skip to review
• Best for pH balance: Culturelle Women’s 4-in-1 Protection | Skip to review
• Best vegan-friendly: Ora Organic Lady Bugs Prebiotic & Probiotic | Skip to review
• Best for urinary tract health: Bio-Kult Pro-Cyan | Skip to review
• Best affordable: RenewLife Women’s Care Probiotic | Skip to review
• Best gummy: Olly Probiotic + Prebiotic | Skip to review

Probiotics, which are made up of healthy bacteria and yeast, 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.

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 could prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use. Additionally, probiotics could be useful for the treatment of:

• IBS
• ulcerative colitis
• 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 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.

^{3 Third-party tested by an accredited lab to ensure purity and potency.
*Prices accurate as of publication of this article.}

• 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.
• Dietitian review: Each product on this list was reviewed by registered dietitians Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, and Kelli McGrane, MS, RD.

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. Ideally, 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.

A word 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.

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.