Best Probiotic Supplement for Women Over 50 in 2024

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

As a woman over 50, you may have several health concerns: menopause symptoms, vaginal health, aging, weight, digestive health and brain function to name a few. Did you know that a probiotic supplement may help with these concerns?

Probiotic supplements contain live bacteria that can help boost your gut health, significantly impacting many aspects of your health. The health of your gut microbiome may influence your immune health, brain function, mood, appetite and more.

Because gut health can be profoundly impacted by diet and lifestyle, and because it can also have a significant impact on your overall health, taking a probiotic may be one easy way to support a healthy and balanced gut microbiome.

Here are our favorite probiotic supplements for women over 50. I’ve also included some of my insights on the benefits of probiotics, as a registered dietitian nutritionist.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Probiotic for Women Over 50 in 2024:

• Ritual Synbiotic+
• Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic
• Seed Daily Synbiotic
• YourBiology gut+
• Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 and Wiser Women's Multi Capsules
• Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic Adult 50+
• Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic
• Garden of Life RAW Enzymes Women 50 & Wiser

Ritual Synbiotic+

Get 25% off your first month of Ritual! Code: SI25

Key features & specs

• Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis
• CFUs: 11 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: Existing Ritual customers, people who want prebiotic and postbiotic benefits
• Cost: $54/30 servings

Ritual is a well-known supplement brand that makes high-quality, evidence-based supplement formulations. It employs third-party testing and certifications on its products, so the quality is verifiable. Its Synbiotic+ contains probiotics, prebiotics (which feed the healthy bacteria in your gut) and postbiotics, which are the products of microbial digestion. Altogether, this makes Synbiotic+ a well-rounded digestive supplement for anyone.

Although they are more expensive than some other probiotics, reviewers say these probiotics are packed with benefits and easy to take.

You can take one capsule per day at any time, with or without food.

Related Post: Ritual Vitamins Review: Cost, Ingredients and More

What we like:

• Third-party tested and non-GMO
• Contains prebiotics and postbiotics
• Reviewers trust that it works for digestive health

What to consider:

• More expensive than other probiotics

Transparent Labs Gut Health Probiotic

Key features & specs

• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve
• CFUs: 100 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: People looking for a high CFU count, people who want a probiotic that includes many beneficial strains
• Cost: $54/30 servings

Transparent Labs is a supplement company that offers third-party tested dietary supplements designed with evidence-based, effective doses. Its “Advanced Gut Health Formula” probiotic contains a high dose of colony-forming units (CFU) from several different strains that may help support gut health, so it’s ideal for people who are looking for relief from digestive problems.

Although it’s more expensive than some other options, it’s received rave reviews from customers who say that it helps with bloating and regularity.

According to Transparent Labs, you should take two capsules daily with a full glass of water and on an empty stomach.

What we like:

• Third-party tested
• High CFU count
• Contains 10 different beneficial strains

What to consider:

• More expensive than some other options

Seed Daily Synbiotic

Key features & specs

• Strains: Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infants, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Ligilactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Limosilactobacillus reuteri
• AFUs: 53.6 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: People looking for a ton of bacterial strains in a single supplement, those after a probiotic that targets multiple concerns
• Cost: $49.99/30 servings

Seed is a probiotic brand that was founded in 2015. It currently makes just two products: this probiotic and a probiotic for kids and teens. According to Seed, its probiotics are backed by "extensive mechanistic and clinical data generated at academic institutions and research partners around the world." 

This probiotic has by far the most bacterial strains on our list. The strains are each part of probiotic blends formulated to target gut health, dermatological health, cardiovascular health and micronutrient synthesis. 

Seed recommends taking each serving (two capsules) on an empty stomach.

What we like:

• Contains many probiotic strains
• Capsule is engineered to deliver the maximum probiotic dose to your colon
• Third-party tested

What to consider:

• Expensive

YourBiology gut +

Key features & specs

• Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei
• CFUs: 40 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: Women who want a probiotic designed for female needs, people who want prebiotics included
• Cost: $79.99/30 pills

YourBiology gut+ is a probiotic and prebiotic supplement designed specifically for women. In addition to addressing digestive health, the strains and prebiotics in gut+ may also help with stress regulation, weight management, energy, immune health and skin health.

Still, it’s hard to find reviews of the product online. For the most cost-effective purchase, be sure to purchase one of the bundle deals rather than a one-month supply.

According to YourBiology, it’s best to take one capsule in the morning and one capsule at night.

What we like:

• Specifically designed for women
• Contains 40 billion CFU per serving
• Cost-saving bulk purchase options

What to consider:

• Hard to find reviews online

Garden of Life Vitamin Code 50 and Wiser Women’s Multi Capsules

Key features & specs

• Strains: Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantarum
• CFUs: 500 million
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: Women over 50, people who want a multivitamin and probiotic in one
• Cost: $48.99/30 servings

Garden of Life is a well-known supplement company that provides organic, non-GMO, whole-food-based supplement formulations. This product in particular is a complete multivitamin and probiotic for women over 50. It also contains digestive enzymes, antioxidants and an organic fruit and vegetable blend.

The Garden of Life Probiotic supplement is highly rated by customers, who say that it’s convenient and that it provides everything they need. One drawback is that a serving size is four capsules, although it does eliminate the need for other supplements. Also, note that this product has a lower CFU count than standalone probiotic supplements.

You should take four capsules daily.

Check out our Garden of Life Vitamins review for more information on this supplement company. 

What we like:

• Multivitamin and probiotic in one
• Organic, non-GMO and whole food based
• Contains added antioxidants, fruits and vegetables

What to consider:

• Four capsules per serving
• Lower CFU count than other probiotic supplements

Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic Adult 50+

Key features & specs

• Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus brevis
• CFUs: 30 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: People looking for a probiotic for immune and digestive health, people on a budget
• Cost: $37.19/90 pills

This probiotic from Renew Life is designed specifically for people aged 50 or greater, and it contains several different bacterial strains to support both digestive health and immune health in this age group. It's also non-GMO and very reasonably priced compared to some other probiotics.

This probiotic is also very highly rated by customers, although some other options are similarly priced with a higher CFU count.

According to Renew Life, you can take one capsule daily with or without food.

What we like:

• Contains several bacterial strains
• Non-GMO
• Moderately priced

What to consider:

• Lower CFU count than some other probiotics

Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic

Key features & specs

• Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
• CFUs: 10 billion
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: People who want to use only the most highly researched probiotics, people who travel regularly
• Cost: $17.99/30 servings

Culturelle contains just one probiotic strain: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. However, this strain is one of the most heavily researched probiotic strains available, and has been shown to support both digestive health and immune health. Culturelle also contains prebiotics, and it’s ideal for travel because each capsule is individually sealed in a blister pack. This makes it easy to take just a few with you on a trip while also helping to preserve the living bacteria.

Most reviewers like this supplement, but some say that they felt no effect from using it.

According to Culturelle, you should take one capsule daily. If you’re feeling digestive upset or traveling, you can take up to two capsules daily—one in the morning and one at night.

What we like:

• Contains a thoroughly researched strain
• Individually wrapped and suitable for travel
• Contains added prebiotics

What to consider:

• Lower CFU count than some other probiotics

Garden of Life RAW Enzymes Women 50 & Wiser

Key features & specs

• Strains: Bacillus coagulans, Saccharomyces boulardii
• CFUs: 500 million
• Storage: Refrigeration not required
• Best for: Women over 50, people looking for digestive support
• Cost: $35.09/90 servings

This product from Garden of Life is designed to support digestive health in women over 50. It contains 22 digestive enzymes, which can help your body more easily break down food. In addition, it contains probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome and it’s made using non-GMO ingredients.

Although it contains a lower CFU count than most probiotic supplements, reviewers give this product high ratings. It’s also reasonably priced, especially since it provides a 90-day supply.

According to Garden of Life, you should take one capsule daily with food. Alternatively, you can mix the capsule's contents into a food or drink to make it easier to take.

What we like:

• Contains digestive enzymes and probiotics
• Highly rated by reviewers
• Made with non-GMO ingredients

What to consider:

• Lower CFU count than most probiotics

What Is a Probiotic?

Probiotics are supplements that contain live bacteria that can help to support your gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome is located in the large intestine, consisting of various populations of beneficial bacteria and other microbes.

However, the gut microbiome can become imbalanced due to several factors, like diet, stress levels, illness or antibiotic use. This can lead to digestive issues as well as other health problems.

Fortunately, taking a probiotic supplement can help rebalance the gut microbiome.

The potency of probiotic supplements is measured by colony-forming units (CFUs), an estimation of how many live bacteria are in each serving. It’s not uncommon to see probiotics that contain 50 billion CFU per serving or more. 

Some probiotics are now measured by active fluorescent units (AFUs). Some experts believe AFUs are a more precise measurement of viable bacteria, but CFUs currently remain the industry measurement standard.

Fermented foods are natural sources of probiotics. These include foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, kombucha and kefir.

Benefits of Probiotics for Women Over 50

There are several potential benefits of probiotics for women over 50, including digestive health, immune support, brain function, mood regulation, vaginal health and weight management.

Digestive health

Probiotics are best known for their effects on digestion. They can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome and “crowd out” potentially harmful strains. This can help reduce digestive symptoms like gas, bloating and constipation—which may be more common as women age due to the natural slowing down of the digestive system.

Immune health

Probiotic bacteria may also support immune health in women over 50, which is of particular concern as we age. Much of the immune system is actually located within the digestive tract, and probiotics can help improve the strength and integrity of the gut barrier. This is one of the major ways the body fights off harmful bacteria that enter through food or drink.

Brain function

Through the “gut-brain axis,” or the line of communication between the digestive tract and the brain, probiotics may also support healthy brain function—boosting memory, focus and alertness. In older adults, probiotics may also help reduce cognitive decline.

Mood support

Mood changes are a major symptom of menopause, but probiotics may be able to help with mood regulation. Again, this is because of the gut-brain axis. In a 2021 study, researchers noted that probiotic supplementation helped to reduce stress and improve mood in people over age 65.

Weight management

Finally, many women struggle with weight gain—particularly around the waist—during menopause. However, some probiotics such as L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum can help to regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, which makes it easier to prevent unwanted weight gain.

Vaginal health

Part of the microbiome in women is the vaginal microbiome, which helps keep the vagina healthy. Probiotic supplements may help to regulate vaginal microbial balance and prevent yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections, as well.

Probiotic Precautions

Probiotics are safe for most people.

However, when starting probiotics, some people may have a period of worsening digestive problems such as gas, bloating or diarrhea. This is known as the “die-off” effect, and it’s thought to be caused by rapid changes in the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract.

How to Choose the Best Probiotic for You

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right probiotic supplement for you:

• Price: Probiotics are available at several different price points. Remember that it will be a recurring expense, so it’s essential to choose one that fits comfortably into your budget.
• Benefits: All probiotics are not created equal. There are hundreds of different probiotic strains, all of which provide slightly different health benefits. The strains included in a probiotic supplement will dictate its benefits, so look for a probiotic that addresses your concerns. Probiotics may be helpful for immune function, digestive health, weight management, mood support, brain health and inflammation.
• Other ingredients: Many supplements for women over 50 that contain probiotics may also contain other ingredients, like vitamins, minerals or herbs. If you’re looking for a multipurpose supplement, you may want to consider a product that contains probiotics and other ingredients to support healthy aging, menopause symptom relief or any other health concerns you have.

What to Avoid in a Probiotic for Women Over 50

It’s a good idea to avoid artificial ingredients in probiotics and other dietary supplements. These include artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners. These additives have been shown to harm the gut microbiome, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Probiotic for Women Over 50

Here’s how we chose the top probiotics for women over 50:

• Strains: We included supplements that contain well-researched strains that are known to be beneficial.
• CFUs: We also included only supplements with at least 500 million CFUs per serving.
• Price: We chose supplements at various price points so that there was a fit for almost every budget included.
• Reviews: We also combed through reviews to ensure that most reviewers were satisfied with the product.
• Expert input: As a dietitian, I provided expert insights on which probiotics were best and how they can affect health in women over 50.

Probiotic FAQs

Are refrigerated probiotics better?

Technological advancements have allowed shelf-stable probiotics to last with significant amounts of living probiotics for up to 24 months. However, refrigerated probiotics may have a longer shelf life.

Does menopause mess with your gut?

Although menopause may not directly impact digestion, aging can. Gastrointestinal problems are more common as we age, and aging may affect how quickly and efficiently you can break down and absorb nutrients from food.

Can probiotics help with aging?

Probiotics can’t reverse aging, but they can support overall health and may help boost longevity. They can help with digestion, immune health, weight management and brain function.

How long does it take for probiotics to work?

Many people report that they begin to feel the effects of probiotics after two to three weeks of consistent use.

Can a woman take too much probiotics?

Taking too many probiotics may cause digestive side effects like gas or bloating. It’s essential to stick to the recommended dose on your probiotic label or follow your healthcare provider’s dosing instructions.

Takeaway: Are Probiotics for Women Over 50 Worth It?

Probiotics contain good bacteria that can help boost your gut health and overall wellness. They may be particularly helpful for women over 50, since they can address several health issues that women may be concerned about at this age. Be sure to look for a probiotic that fits easily in your budget and that’s formulated for your unique health concerns.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.