For those deeply immersed in the wellness field, probiotics are one of the few things that still remain a mystery. Lymph drainage? I took blood sugar balance? you bet I’ve cracked the code on the perfect proportion of protein in my diet. But I still have many questions when it comes to understanding the best probiotics for women.
You’ve probably heard the vague “gut health” hype fly around through influencer testimonials and flashy ads. But… what does that really mean? And beyond the occasional (or not) episode of bloating that all “hot” girls claim to experience online?
With all these questions flying around, it’s clear that it’s time for the experts to set the record straight for me. I wanted to clarify what was really going on inside my body, and it made me feel so much better.
Featured image from Interview with Riley Reid jen rose smith.
Best Probiotics for Women: Expert Insights
After all, the benefits of probiotics for women extend far beyond the gut. Happy V. From boosting fertility to improving skin, probiotics are worth the hype. Below we get into the nitty-gritty of all probiotics for women. ), think of it as your one-stop-shop for all things probiotics.
And keep scrolling to read which probiotics our editors prefer. We share the pros and cons of our favorite brands and don’t hesitate to share our real-world experiences. No shyness.
What are the benefits of probiotics? How specifically do they support women’s health?
Probiotics are supplements that contain some of the good bacteria that grow in your gut. They are important to women for several reasons. You can do the following.
Improves gut health. Probiotics help keep your gut flora healthy, improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and boost your immune system.
Improves vaginal health. Probiotics help prevent yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other vaginal infections.
Increases fertility. Probiotics help boost fertility by improving the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Reduces the risk of autoimmune diseases. Probiotics may help reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Women are two to six times more likely than men to develop irritable bowel syndrome and inflammation Enteropathy is diagnosed 2:1 in women compared to men.
Improves skin health. Probiotics can help improve skin health by reducing inflammation and acne.
Increase energy levels. Probiotics help boost energy levels by improving digestion and nutrient absorption.
Reduce stress levels. Probiotics may help reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol levels.
Should everyone take probiotics?
Not everyone needs to take probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in some foods and supplements. It can help improve intestinal health and vaginal health, but it’s not necessary for everyone.
There are several groups of people who may benefit from taking probiotics.
- people taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill both good and bad bacteria in your gut. Probiotics help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut after taking antibiotics.
- People with digestive system problems. Probiotics can help improve digestion and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other digestive problems.
- People with vaginal infections. Probiotics help prevent and treat yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
- People with impaired immune system. Probiotics strengthen the immune system and help fight off infections.
There is a lot of talk about prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Should I take them all at once?
Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are all important for gut health. They work together to create a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.
- prebiotics A non-digestible carbohydrate that feeds probiotics. Found in many fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- probiotics It’s a healthy live bacterium. They are found in some foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi, and can also be taken as supplements.
- postbiotics It is a by-product of probiotics. They are produced when probiotics break down food and other substances in the gut. there is.
Are there specific probiotic strains that are best for women?
There are several different strains of probiotics that are beneficial to women. Some of the most common strains include:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus reuteri HR7. These two strains are specifically designed to support vaginal health. Helps prevent and treat yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other vaginal infections.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14. This strain is a versatile probiotic that helps improve gut health. It helps improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and strengthens the immune system.
- Bifidobacterium lactis HN019. This strain is also a versatile probiotic that can help improve gut health. It can help improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and boost your immune system.
What is a colony forming unit?
Colony forming units (CFU) are used to estimate the number of viable bacterial or fungal cells in a sample. This is done by plating the sample on growth medium and counting the number of colonies formed. A colony is a group of cells that have grown together and formed a visible clump. The number of CFUs in a sample can be used to determine the concentration of bacteria or fungi in the sample.
Are there any downsides to taking probiotics?
Probiotics are generally considered safe for most people. However, there are some potential side effects, including:
- Gas, bloating, diarrhea. These are the most common side effects of probiotics and usually go away on their own within a few days.
- allergic reaction. In rare cases, probiotics can cause allergic reactions such as hives, itching, and swelling of the tongue and throat.
- severe infections. In people with weakened immune systems, probiotics can potentially cause severe infections.
Best Probiotics for Women — Tested by Editors
All of our products have been carefully curated by our editors and we always give honest opinions whether it’s a gift or something you bought for yourself. can be obtained.
Probiotics that just thrive
Edie’s Recommended, Wellness Editor
I don’t take probiotics, but if I do, I’ll take Just Thrive! Recommended for clients who need digestive support. It is spore-based. So it gets to the digestive tract where it’s actually needed. They can be as nourishing as probiotics, but the journey to the gut can be rough (especially as it passes through the stomach). *Note: I don’t take probiotics because I eat a lot of fermented foods.
- type: capsule
- Colony forming units: 3 billion cells
- Dose: 1 capsule daily
- Authenticated: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, GMO Free
Seed DS-01 Daily Symbiotic
Recommended by Food Editor Sulci
I have been taking seeds for about 3 years and many other supplements and green type powders have come and gone in my life but this has remained a constant. It took some time, but after a few weeks I started noticing improvements in digestion and regularity. Three years later, the benefits have continued and the seeds are part of my daily morning routine.
Strong Points: As Edie mentioned, many probiotics don’t even make it to the gut, but the seeds are designed to get where they need to be. Protects digestive viability and delivers an average of 100% of the starting probiotic dose to the colon.
Cons: It costs an extra $50/month, but I think it’s worth it for your personal health. However, instead of monthly shipments, we’ve just launched a six-month supply program.
- type: capsule
- Colony forming units: 53.6 billion AFUs
- Dose: 2 capsules daily
- Authenticated: Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Shellfish Free, Sesame Free, Glyphosate/AMPA Free, Corn Free, No Binders, No Preservatives
Ora Trust Your Gut High Potency Probiotics & Prebiotics
Casey recommendation, editorial intern
For almost two years I was on antibiotics almost monthly for what I thought was recurrent tonsillitis. (Surprisingly, it was an autoinflammatory disease.) These antibiotics took a serious toll on my gut health, so I sought out a diet rich in fermented foods and fruits and vegetables. Trust Your Gut is a probiotic recommended by my GP and I have been taking it for about a year and a half. Since incorporating it into her routine, she rarely experiences an upset stomach and bloating has decreased by a factor of 10.
Strong Points: This probiotic does not require refrigeration and contains 11 clinically studied acid-tolerant strains.
Cons: It’s a little on the expensive side (as many probiotics are), and that’s the only downside I’ve experienced with this product.
- type: capsule
- Colony forming units: 52 billion CFUs
- Dose: 1 capsule at night, 1 capsule in the morning
- Authenticated: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, GMO Free, Soy Free, Vegan
Happy V Prebiotics + Probiotics
Recommended by Isabel, Editor-in-Chief
TMI, but here you go.After three months, five days a week, having periods every week, I was finally able to schedule an appointment with the gynecologist. It turned out that I was infected. (Hurray!) The medication prescribed was interacting with other prescriptions I was taking, so I was at a loss as to what to do. menstruation returned to normal.
This prebiotic and probiotic is specifically aimed at improving vaginal health, but it also supports gut and immune health. I wasn’t surprised when I realized I didn’t realize the positive effects of taking these supplements until after a month (or sooner). However, after a few months, my period returned to normal and I am happy to report that I haven’t experienced a runny nose or sickness since my vacation.
Strong Points: Doctor-prescribed, 100% natural, subscription options, recyclable packaging, more affordable than other options
Cons: It took about a month to see results
- type: capsule
- Colony forming units: 20 billion
- Dose: 2 capsules daily
- Authenticated: Vegan, Non-GMO
