12 Best Probiotics for Women, According to Doctors & Registered Dietitians

This probiotic supplement, recommended by Ehsani, is specifically made for women 50 years and older and contains 35 different strains designed to support various systems throughout the body, including the gut, immune system, heart, and thyroid levels. Plus, it contains dairy-digest enzymes, “which can help break down milk sugars and proteins better,” Ehsani explains. Erica Montes, MD, board-certified ob-gyn and pH-D Feminine Health Advisor, shares that probiotics with strains of Lactobacillus, like this pick, can also be beneficial for women who are going through menopause. “Hormonal changes that take place during menopause can affect the microbiome of the vagina given the low levels of estrogen,” she says. Estrogen helps keep Lactobacillus in high numbers in the vagina. “So if your estrogen is low, your Lactobacillus numbers are likely low or can decline,” she says. So, taking a probiotic can potentially help by adding good bacteria back to the vagina.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: 33 total, including Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus | CFU count: 85 billion

• Why we like it: Contains a wide variety of strains to support various body functions. Product is raw, meaning it’s not cooked or treated and does not have binders, fillers, or carriers.
• What to note: Also contains many essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamins C, D, E, B6, B12, folate, selenium, and more.

Another product endorsed by Ehsani, this daily formulation—made by Culturelle, a reputable probiotic brand—may help tamp down GI issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea, she explains. “For those suffering with these complaints daily or often or while traveling, taking this probiotic supplement may help their gut feel better overall,” she adds.

“I had to take antibiotics years ago and my doctor suggested I take Culturelle to help prevent a UTI, and I’ve enjoyed them ever since for all the reasons MDs note. They’re super mild (no tummy aches or bloating), easy to swallow, no funky aftertaste, and for the most part, they help regulate, well, things,” says Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: Lactobacillus rhamnosus | CFU count: 10 billion

• Why we like it: It’s made with Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a widely used strain that’s been proven to help prevent and treat GI infections and diarrhea. Plus, it’s non-GMO and free of major allergens.
• What to note: Culturelle has a big line of other probiotic products, including those specifically designed for women, for men, and for certain health goals like immune system and metabolism support.

Heavily hyped on social media, this product may be a good bet if you’re feeling backed up. Melina B. Jampolis, MD, a physician nutrition specialist, says a lot of her female perimenopausal patients use Seed and many of them “feel like it really helps with regularity.” It contains Bifidobacterium lactis, or B. lactis, a bacteria found to be the most effective in alleviating constipation, Jampolis says.

Katya Varbanova, a years-long Seed user, didn’t notice a difference when she was on it, but once she stopped taking it, “I noticed that I was more prone to tummy aches, problems, and infections,” she says.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: 24 total, including B. lactis | CFU count: Not listed; company uses a different unit of measurement (AFUs)

• Why we like it: The product is GMP compliant and free of common allergens. Plus, the company has participated in various clinical trials.
• What to note: The product is expensive compared with other probiotic supplements, costing about $2 per day when purchased through Amazon. (Slightly cheaper subscription options are available through the Seed website). “I’m not sure if you need anything that expensive,” says Jampolis, but notes the higher cost is likely because the company has poured a lot of money into researching the product. Also, though raved about online by lots of influencers, it doesn’t work for everyone. Ashley M., another Seed user, “really wanted to love the product” but “didn't notice much of a difference in regularity or bloating like I would have hoped.”

Angela Wilson, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist, loves this probiotic for those looking to improve vaginal pH, odor, and dryness. “This oral probiotic helps to balance the vaginal environment with 5 billion CFU of bacteria, helping it maintain a healthy pH and eliminate odor,” she says. Dr. Montes has also seen success with this probiotic in reducing vaginal infections. “The active Lactobacillus strains help keep the vaginal microbiome healthy,” she notes.

Doses per bottle: 15 | Strain(s) contained: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus | CFU count: 5 billion

• Why we like it: It addresses uncomfortable symptoms like odor, itching, and discharge and is only taken 15 days out of the month
• What to note: Dr. Wilson is also a fan of the brand’s Clairvee + Revaree Plus bundle, which contains the probiotic plus a vaginal moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and almond oil to address symptoms of dryness.

Endorsed by Johnson, Renew Life offers a Women’s Care line of probiotic supplements specially formulated to support women’s health with strains of bacteria that may aid in vaginal and urinary tract health, hormonal balance, and immune function. “Renew Life Women’s Care probiotics are suitable for women of all ages who are looking to support their overall health and well-being, with a focus on reproductive health, hormonal balance, menopause, chronic digestive issues, and immune support,” Johnson says. This particular product, made with 12 different bacteria strains, is designed for the vaginal, urinary, digestive, and immune systems. Ashley M., a Renew Life user, noticed the product aided with minor bloating if she took it every day.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: 12 total, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 | CFU count: 25 billion

• Why we like it: This is a more affordable probiotic supplement than many others on this list—a daily serving costs about 50 cents when purchased through Amazon Prime. The product is non-GMO certified, and free of soy, gluten, and dairy to boot.
• What to note: Renew Life sells a number of other probiotics, including its Extra Care Digestive Probiotic Capsules 50 Billion CFU. Lily Weiner, a product user for about three years, said that along with many other factors, it made a “huge difference” in fixing her gut health, though she noted results didn’t come overnight.

Probiotics aren’t a magic pill for weight loss, but if shedding pounds is your goal, “an unhealthy gut may make it more challenging to lose weight by contributing to inflammation” among other things, Jampolis says. That’s why she sometimes recommends patients try this product, which contains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis B420, a bacteria that through clinical trial results is thought to be a potential tool for combating obesity. I’ve been using that with some success,” Jampolis says, adding that it’s also important to make diet and exercise a priority to reach weight-loss goals.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis B420 | CFU count: 10 billion

• Why we like it: The product is GMP compliant, third-party verified, and contains a strain supported by science to do what it says it does.
• What to note: The product doesn’t work for everyone. “I find that people either feel a difference or they don’t,” Jampolis says.

For a probiotic that can help restore pH balance, opt for this pick recommended by Dr. Wilson. L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri strains, plus 5 billion CFU, help support the vaginal environment, maintain pH, and keep bad bacteria at bay. “This supplement is particularly helpful for patients trying to prevent a return of yeast or bacterial vaginosis symptoms,” says Dr. Wilson. Glamour reviewer Afeni H. shares that this probiotic helped halt their chronic yeast infections, making it well worth the price.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri | CFU count: 5 billion

• Why we like it: The vegetarian capsules contain clinically tested probiotic strains that are gluten- and soy-free.
• What to note: Dr. Wilson recommends supplements from RepHresh to many of her patients. “In my practice, I have seen many patients benefit from their products with very little risk of side effects,” she says.

Bloating can be a symptom of a myriad of gut conditions, according to Danielle Falchiere, RD at NY Nutritionist Group. “When I work with my clients that suffer from bloating, oftentimes there are entirely different causes of bloating for each client, which can include dysbiosis, their diet, food allergies, fluid intake, low stomach acid, stress, underlying GI conditions such as SIBO, and many more factors,” she says. It’s recommended to consult a dietician or doctor who specializes in gut health to determine the root cause of bloating to ensure the best treatment for you.

Once you do determine the cause of your bloat, Megan Hilbert, RD at Top Nutrition Coaching recommends looking for a probiotic supplement like this one that contains strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07. “These particular strains can be helpful for those with mixed IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, and cramps,” she says. One reviewer seems to agree and shares that it’s helped quell symptoms of IBS, diverticulitis, and bloating.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: 4 total, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 | CFU count: 20 billion

• Why we like it: The capsules are vegetable-based, vegan, and shelf-stable.
• What to note: OptiBac has a variety of probiotics suitable for different goals, including the OptiBac Probiotics for Women that supports vaginal health, and OptiBac Probiotics for Those Antibiotics—a great supplement to take to soothe antibiotic gut issues like diarrhea.

“Probiotics help decrease inflammation and improve the balance of your gut bacteria, and some combinations of probiotics can help with symptom relief in people with IBS,” says Falchiere. If you’re looking to address IBS symptoms, try this supplement that contains L. plantarum and L. acidophilus. “These strains can help improve stool frequency and consistency in those with IBS,” says Hilbert. This pick helps negate symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain and works to help improve bowel movements. It also contains polysaccharides, which have been shown to positively treat IBS.

Doses per bottle: 21 | Strain(s) contained: 3 total including Lactobacillus plantarum | CFU count: 20 billion

• Why we like it: It’s dairy-free, soy-free, vegetarian, and shelf-stable, so there’s no need to refrigerate it.
• What to note: “While probiotics can be a big help for IBS, it’s important to keep in mind that for some individuals, probiotics can make these symptoms worse,” says Hilbert. If you are diagnosed with IBS, the experts recommend consulting with your health care provider to determine the best probiotic treatment for your digestive system. Other strains to look out for that can address IBS symptoms include Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus coagulans.

Similar to the importance of uncovering the root cause for bloating, it’s also important to determine the root cause of constipation, according to Falchiere. “Underlying GI conditions, your water intake, stress levels, diet, lifestyle, stomach acid, and many other factors should be considered,” she says. If you are experiencing occasional constipation, she recommends trying this pick. “This is a 100% spore-based probiotic, which means the probiotics remain dormant to survive through the digestive tract and become active when they reach the large intestine.” This ensures that the probiotic reaches your gut lining, which will make it most effective.

Doses per bottle: 30 | Strain(s) contained: 5 total, including Bacillus indicus and Bacillus subtilis | CFU count: 4 billion

• Why we like it: It’s vegetarian and gluten-free, and suitable for adults and teens.
• What to note: Dr. Montes recommends opting for probiotics that address not only digestive and vaginal health, but urinary health too. “These microbiomes are interconnected, and to be able to optimize all three is key,” she says.