What's the Deal with Probiotics for Women?
Can you stop your stomach issues with a single capsule?
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
When we think about bacteria, negative connotations often come to mind. But, not all bacteria is bad, and probiotics are the prime example of what health experts call good bacteria. “Probiotics are friendly, healthy, good-for-you bacteria that work to improve your health,” says Dr. Roshini Raj, a gastroenterologist, author, and founder of Tula Skincare. Most notably, probiotics can help to promote a healthy gut, but these essential microorganisms can also lead to clear skin, a high-performing immune system, and balanced pH levels (down there) for women.
As for how to ingest probiotics, it’s essential to note that they are naturally found in foods like greek yogurt, kombucha, and kimchi. However, depending on your diet, you might not consume enough probiotics on a daily basis. In that case, you might want to consider taking probiotic supplements. “When choosing a probiotic supplement, the first step is to look at the ingredients,” Dr. Raj advises. “You want powerful ingredients that are not only good for you but that will also be effective.”
There are an array of probiotic supplements that are formulated to target specific concerns, so the first step is to understand what exactly you need help with. For example, if you are experiencing digestive issues, the Cleveland Clinic suggests selecting a capsule that contains lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, bacillus or saccharomyces boulardii. We know these names sound extremely complicated, so it might also make sense to consult your doctor or a professional that could point you in the right direction.
According to Dr. Raj, if you incorporate effective probiotic supplements into your diet, you should start to feel, and look, much healthier. “After my patients began probiotic treatments, I saw a significant improvement not only in their internal health but also in their appearance," says Dr. Raj. “Oftentimes their skin was calmer and clearer and I could tell they were feeling better before they had the chance to tell me.” But don’t just take Dr. Raj’s word, try it yourself!
Ahead, scroll through a list of the best probiotics to improve your overall health.
Garden of Life Probiotics for Women
Pros
- Probiotic and prebiotic
- 16 different probiotic strains
- Gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free
- 50 billion CFUs per 1 capsule
Cons
- May have an adjustment period
- Pricey
Garden of Life’s probiotics are crafted specifically for women to support vaginal, digestive, and immune health. Their one-a-day capsules also lack most major allergens including dairy, soy, or gluten.
Type: Capsules
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
What reviewers are saying: "I've been taking this women's probiotic for about 6 months and it has helped me so much and I will keep buying it every month. I give it 10/10.”
OLLY Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummy
Pros
- Probiotic and Prebiotic
- Great flavor
- 500 million CFU per single gummy
- 1 probiotic strain
Cons
- Contains sugar
It tastes like a peach-flavored treat, but will actually help with digestion. On top of probiotics, this gummy also has fiber, which encourages your digestive tract to run smoothly.
Type: Gummy
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Gluten-free
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
What reviewers are saying: "I started taking these a year ago as I had chronic diverticulitis flare-ups and someone recommended them to me. Ever since I began taking these, my intestinal tract has been working well regularly (sorry if this is TMI) and I have had NO flare-ups at all. I am so happy to not have the pain of diverticulitis and to not have to take the antibiotic treatments that make me nauseated! These gummies also taste delicious and it is hard to eat just one.”
Tula Skincare Advanced Daily Probiotic & Skin Health Complex
Pros
- Probiotics and skin superfoods
- 4 different probiotic strains
- 10 billion CFU in a single capsule
Cons
- May take time for results
Formulated by gastroenterologist and skincare brand founder, Tula’s probiotic is focused on giving you your best skin ever. More specifically, these capsules are infused with ceramides, which help to promote hydrated skin.
Type: Capsule
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
Tula Rating: 4.1/5
What reviewers are saying: "Just finishing my 30-day supply. My skin is clear and I’ve noticed some new hair growth. I haven’t noticed any changes as far as helping with bloating but will try it for another 30 days and see if I notice a difference.”
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Prebiotic and probiotic
- 1 billion CFUs per 2 capsules
- 8 different probiotic strains
Cons
- May have an adjustment period
Anybody who has suffered through a single urinary tract infection never wants to repeat the situation—and these were formulated with that in mind. Also, these probiotics help to balance vaginal pH and bacteria so that you can avoid dreaded yeast infections,
Type: Capsule
Dosage: 2 daily
Certified: Gluten-free, dairy free
Target Rating: 4.9/5
What reviewers are saying: "I went through a year of UTIs and this has helped to not only keep them at bay but make my overall health feel better.”
HUM Nutrition Gut Instinct Probiotic Supplement
Pros
- 10 probiotic strains
- 25 billion CFUs per capsule
- Best Probiotic for Digestion
Cons
- May change urine color
HUM Nutrition is renowned for creating effective supplements, and these potent Gut Instinct capsules are spiked with 10 strains of probiotics for better digestion and immunity. Clinical studies conducted by HUM proved that 90% of customers were satisfied after regularly consuming the Gut Instinct capsules.
Type: Capsule
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Vegan
Blue Mercury Rating:: 4.7/5
What reviewers are saying: “I have taken other probiotics before and have not felt as comfortable in my gut as I do with Gut Instinct! I am more regular, have less bloating with eating and it does not irritate my stomach. I am thankful I found HUM Nutrition and will be trying more of their supplements soon!”
Pros
- Probiotic, Prebiotic, Postbiotic
- Vegan
- 11 billion CFUs in 1 capsule
- 2 probiotic strains
Cons
- Pricey
- Some dislike mint flavoring
This symbiotic formula includes prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics which work to support gut health and immunity. The time-release capsule ensures the probiotics survive your digestive tract and make it to the colon, where they can thrive.
Type: Capsules
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free
Amazon Rating: 4.2/5
What reviewers are saying: “Genuinely such an impressive little bottle of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics all in one.”
Pros
- 24 different probiotic strains
- Probiotic and Prebiotic
- 54 billion AFUs per capsule
Cons
- Pricey
- May have an adjustment period
This dual-encapsulated probiotic has a super-high AFU count and has 24 different types of probiotics that cater to better digestion, skin, and cardiovascular health. This 2-in-1 capsule is also formulated with punicalagins, a key ingredient that is biotransformed by gut microbes into metabolites (molecules that aid in metabolic reactions for healthy cell growth).
Type: Capsules
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, selfish-free
What reviewers are saying: "I've been a Seed stan since my first swallow—you have to ease into it (start with one capsule for a few weeks before you graduate to two), but my stomach has never felt better. And I definitely notice a difference when I switch to other brands.”
Pros
- 3 billion CFUs per serving
- Blackberry flavored
- Gluten- and high fructose syrup-free
- 2 different probiotic strains
Cons
- Flavor is polarizing
Pop two of these blackberry flavored gummies for a dosage of 3 billion CFUs and smoother digestion. All Lemme products are created with botanical blends that are completely vegan.
Type: Gummy
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, gelatin-free
Lemme Rating: 4.5/5
What reviewers are saying :"I know what you're thinking—another Kardashian business, no thanks. But these are more like fruit pâte and make aiding your digestion a total treat.”
Pros
- 15 billion beneficial live organisms
- No artificial coloring
- Gluten-free and soy-free
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant or lactating women
If you’re a gym-goer or a running enthusiast, you probably know that maintaining a supported immune system helps with your overall athletic performance. Klean’s probiotics were designed to do just that by supplying 15 billion beneficial live organisms. These probiotics are also completely free of artificial coloring and sweeteners, which is particularly important for those who wish to cultivate a balanced nutritional diet.
Type: Capsule
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
What reviewers are saying: “Love this supplement! All of the good stuff and no icky extras. You get exactly what you need and can actually be absorbed by the body unlike the off brand stuff. As a group fitness instructor and health coach, I recommend it to all my clients.”
NewRhythm Probiotics 50 Billion CFU 20 Strains
Pros
- 50 billion active cultures
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Some users might experience stomach issues
If you’re on a budget, NewRhythm Probiotics might just be for you. For just $15, this probiotic boasts a 100% natural and Non-GMO formula that promotes digestive and immune health. Additionally, these healthy probiotics feature a targeted release technology which keeps them to effectively reach your intestinal tract.
Type: Capsule
Dosage: 1 daily
Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5
What reviewers are saying : “I’m one of those who rarely writes reviews, but I had to for this. I have taken a probiotic daily for over 10yrs and this is BY FAR the best one. I will NEVER change brands again. The 20 strains with 50 billion cfus is the absolute best formulation!”
Meet the Expert
Roshini Raj, M.D., is practicing gastroenterologist in New York City. She's also the founder of Tula Skincare and the author of Gut Renovation: Unlock the Age-Defying Power of the Microbiome to Remodel Your Health from the Inside Out.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with a gastroenterologist and also poured over reviews for the best probiotics according to customer feedback.
Readers Also Read
5 Best Hairstyles for Thin Hair
How to Master Your Fine Hair Routine
How to Style an Asymmetrical Pixie Cut
The Choppy Pixie Cut Is Back
