A healthy gut is essential to overall wellness. The trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract have a profound effect on your health and well-being, including your mood, immunity, and weight management. A growing body of research has shown that probiotics can help support and maintain a healthy balance of microflora — the good bacteria in your gut — and improve overall gastrointestinal health. But the benefits of probiotics go beyond the gut microbiome, also supporting the genitourinary microbiome, which is why women may want to pay extra attention to this vital supplement.

Why Do Women Need Probiotics?

Probiotic supplementation is a powerful wellness strategy for women to improve their gut health, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation. These are just a few of the benefits of taking probiotics:

• Relief from bloating, constipation, and diarrhea
• Support for healthy-looking skin
• Support for a happy, relaxed mood

While these benefits are applicable to men or women, there are numerous reasons that women, in particular, may want to consider adding a quality probiotic supplement to their daily regimen:

Probiotics may help reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition related to an imbalance between good bacteria (Lactobacilli) and bad bacteria (anaerobic bacteria). It is one of the most common causes of vaginitis, leading to itching, inflammation, discharge, and pain. Probiotics help protect from BV by restoring the balance of bacteria in your vagina. Probiotic strains encourage Lactobacilli growth while inhibiting the growth of any harmful microbes that can cause infection. 

Probiotics may help reduce the occurrence of yeast infections.

Yeast infections are a common issue for many women, caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans. Probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium can help inhibit Candida albicans growth in your gut and elsewhere.

Probiotics may lower your chances of getting a UTI. 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be painful and bothersome, and many women who deal with UTIs experience them repeatedly. A healthy urinary microbiome (UM) consists of a balance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other beneficial bacteria, just like the vaginal and gut microbiomes. When these bacteria are thrown out of balance, they cannot deter the adherence and growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. Taking a probiotic containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains can help sustain proper balance in the UM and lower the chance of getting a UTI.

Probiotics may help you manage hormonal acne.

Hormonal imbalances can lead to inflammation, which can trigger or exacerbate stress-related skin problems like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. Probiotics produce antibacterial proteins that may support clear skin and alleviate inflammation. 

Probiotics can support weight management.

Maintaining a healthy weight can become more challenging as you age, especially once you reach menopause. By encouraging healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, probiotics help you feel fuller and more satisfied after eating. A healthier gut may also help regulate appetite hormones like leptin and gremlin, which can affect how much you eat.

Probiotics can support mental health.

Women may be more prone to anxiety and depression, which can be more pronounced during hormonal changes involving their menstrual cycle or menopause. Your gut is known as your second brain, which is why it is so important to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. A balanced gut microbiome supports healthy levels of brain neurotransmitters related to a positive mood, such as GABA and serotonin. 

Women who are looking for natural ways to improve their gastrointestinal and genitourinary health should consider taking a quality probiotic supplement. This simple change can have many benefits for your mental, physical, and emotional health.

What Should Women Look for in Probiotics?

Now that you understand the importance of probiotics for women, you need to know what to look for in a quality probiotic supplement. Some of the key things to look for are:

Potency

You want to choose probiotics with billions of colony forming units (CFUs). For optimal results, you should look for products with at least 10 to 20 billion CFUs per serving, the amount used in most clinical studies. Stomach acid can destroy some beneficial bacteria before reaching the small intestine, diluting the probiotic and giving lackluster results. Choosing a high-potency formula with CFUs in the billions rather than millions can help ensure that more probiotic strains reach their intended destination. 

Ingredients

Two key ingredients for women's genitourinary health are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Lactobacillus 

Lactobacillus is known for its powerful gut support and is crucial for healthy vaginal flora and urinary tract. There are several strains of Lactobacillus to look for in women’s probiotics:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus fermentum
• Lactobacillus reuteri 

Studies have found these strains to help maintain the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome by increasing the presence of Lactobacilli. 

Bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium work primarily in the colon to support digestive health, balanced mood, and strong immune function.

Diversity

Each woman has different needs for their genitourinary microbiome, depending on their life stage, lifestyle, ethnicity, and whether they are pregnant. Choosing probiotics containing multiple strains ensures that your microbiome has what it needs to stay in balance. A variety of strains offers the most benefits.

5 Beneficial Probiotics for Women

To help take the guesswork out of finding the right women’s probiotic formula, here’s a look at five probiotics for women that offer a powerful combination of quality, potency, and diversity. 

1. Ther-Biotic Women’s Formula by Klaire Labs

Ther-Biotic Women’s Formula by Klaire Labs goes the extra mile to ensure you receive the maximum benefits from this probiotic. Their patented InTactic and acid-stable technology protects the beneficial bacteria from deterioration by stomach acid. This allows the strains to retain their potency as they reach your gut and get down to work.

This formula also offers the convenience of just one daily capsule, which is great when you're already taking multiple supplements each morning. If you travel a lot, keep in mind that this probiotic supplement must be refrigerated after opening, so it may not be ideal for taking on the road unless you can keep it chilled.

Features 

• 25 billion CFU per capsule
• 10 probiotic strains – 7 Lactobacillus species and 3 Bifidobacterium strains
• One daily capsule
• Requires refrigeration

2. Pro-Flora Women’s Probiotic by Integrative Therapeutics

Pro-Flora Women’s Probiotic by Integrative Therapeutics zeros in on vaginal and gastrointestinal health with a potent combination of two Lactobacillus species: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. These species have an impressive ability to withstand acidic conditions in the stomach, allowing them to maintain their potency. They help promote vaginal, intestinal, and urinary health by adhering to cells and inhibiting the growth of harmful organisms.

Refrigeration is optional for this supplement, giving you more flexibility when traveling.

Features

• 1 billion CFU per capsule
• 2 probiotic strains – Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14
• One daily capsule
• Refrigeration optional

3. Probiotic Woman by Nordic Naturals

Probiotic Woman by Nordic Naturals offers a potent blend of seven probiotic strains containing 15 billion CFU per serving. To enhance gastrointestinal benefits, this formula includes fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic that helps feed the good bacteria in your gut. And to support healthy urinary function, D-mannose is added, helping discourage harmful bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract.

This product is shelf-stable, so there is no need to refrigerate, making this supplement easy to toss in your bag to take with you on the go.

Features 

• 15 billion CFU per two-capsule serving
• Seven probiotic strains
• Includes D-mannose and prebiotics
• Shelf-stable

4. Complete Probiotics for Women by Dr. Mercola

Complete Probiotics for Women by Dr. Mercola leads the pack with the most potent probiotic for women, boasting an astounding 70 billion CFU per daily capsule. This powerful formula stands up to stomach acid and bile thanks to the patented delayed release capsules. This allows the beneficial bacteria to maintain potency as they travel to the small intestine.

This formula is shelf-stable, making it easy to take with you on the road as needed.

Features 

• 70 billion CFU per capsule
• 10 probiotic strains
• Includes prebiotics
• Shelf-stable

5. Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Women’s by Garden of Life

Dr. Formulated Probiotics Once Daily Women’s by Garden of Life offers the most diversity of the women's probiotics on this list, with beneficial bacteria from 16 probiotic strains. This formula features Lactobacillus reuteri to prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to cells and Lactobacillus fermentum to support robust immunity and healthy inflammatory response. You'll also find a prebiotic fiber blend of organic potato and acacia to support the growth of good bacteria in the gut. 

This formula requires no refrigeration, so you can pack it in your suitcase or throw it in your purse for later. 

Features 

• 50 billion CFU per capsule
• 16 probiotic strains
• Includes prebiotics
• Shelf-stable

Find the Top Probiotics for Women at Blue Sky Vitamin

If you are looking for high-quality probiotics for women, you can count on Blue Sky Vitamin. We stock only the best probiotic formulas, so you can be sure to find the gut, vaginal, and urinary health support you need in our online store. Need help finding the right women's probiotic formula for you? Reach out to us for guidance.