3 Amazing Benefits of Probiotics for Women

Stop me if you've heard this before: you're looking forward to some fun at the end of the day, but your stomach isn't cooperating. An unbalanced gut microbiome can put the kibosh on a good day, whether it's occasional bloating, irregularity, or digestive discomfort. No one likes to feel out of sorts, and when your stomach isn't cooperating, it can lead to frustration.

One way women can support a balanced gut microbiome for digestive health is through probiotic supplementation. In this article, we will explore some of the benefits of probiotics for women, Nature Made^®'s trusted probiotic support options, and how specific strains can support women's digestive and overall health.^†

What Do Probiotics Do for Women?

You've probably heard of probiotics; they're growing in popularity as a supplement to support your digestive health. But what are probiotics? What do probiotics do for women?

The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that live within your GI tract. While gut microbes have different functions, these organisms all play some role in digestion. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that work with the pre-existing bacteria in your gut to contribute to your gut microbiome and help support your digestive system. We can get probiotics in our diet through fermented probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and kimchi among others.

Our digestive system is more than just our stomach and intestines; the gut microbiome is an important part of supporting our digestive health. Probiotics help by providing the good bacteria to your gut microbiome and help support digestive balance. And gut health doesn't just affect our digestion; it's also linked to immune health and overall well-being.

3 Benefits of Probiotics for Women

Probiotics are an excellent way for women to support their digestive health by providing healthy bacteria. Here are three benefits of probiotics for women.^†

1. The process of digestion involves millions of tiny bacteria in our gut. These helpful bacteria naturally exist in our gut; the bacteria found in probiotic supplements work with the good bacteria found in your gut to support healthy digestion.^†
2. Our digestive health encompasses many things, including occasional bloating, irregularity, or digestive discomfort. These are all things we'd rather avoid, right? Probiotics add good bacteria to your digestive tract to support digestive health and can help with these occasional issues.^†
3. Our gut microbiome has countless strains of bacteria; some of these bacteria are good, but some of them are not beneficial. It makes sense that we'd rather have beneficial bacteria in our gut, right? Probiotics provide good bacteria to support your gut's natural balance.^†

Specific Strains and Their Benefits for Women

When selecting a probiotic, pay attention to the strain included in the supplement. Different strains of probiotic bacteria have different effects; here are a few benefits that probiotic bacteria can provide and the strains to look for:

Digestive Health:

If you're looking to support digestive health, check the label for these strains:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may help relieve occasional gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.^†
• Bifidobacterium lactus HN019 may help relieve occasional constipation and irregularity.^†

You can find both strains in Nature Made^® Extra Strength Probiotic Capsules. These clinically studied probiotics support digestive balance and healthy gut flora in the small and large intestines.^†

Immune System Support:

Did you know our gut microbiome affects more than just digestion? It can also affect our immune system. Here's what to look for when looking for a probiotic with immune system support.

• Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 supports a healthy immune system.^†

Nature Made^®'s Probiotic 1 Billion CFU Capsules include this clinically studied strain to support a healthy immune system and promote regularity.^†

Common Digestive Concerns Addressed by Some Probiotics

Everyone prefers it when their tummy is happy. Some common digestive concerns, such as occasional bloating and gas, irregularity and constipation, and gastric discomfort, can be addressed by certain probiotics. Nature Made^® Extra Strength Capsules include two strains for dual action support, formulated to address these occasional digestive concerns.^†

Two-in-One Benefits: Prebiotic + Probiotic Gummies

Probiotics are just one piece of the puzzle. Another important piece is prebiotic fiber, which feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Nature Made^® offers convenient Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummies so you can gain two benefits with one product. Probiotic Bacillus coagulans IS2 helps relieve occasional constipation and abdominal discomfort, and you get prebiotic fiber to feed your good gut bacteria. And on top of all that, it tastes good too!^†

Choosing the Right Probiotic for Women

What should women look for when choosing the right probiotic? First, you should consider your specific health goals; Nature Made^® offers probiotics for digestive and immune support. Make sure you pick a probiotic that clearly communicates what strain of bacteria is provided on the label so you know what benefits that strain provides.^†

Additionally, consider the CFU level, or "Colony Forming Units." This is the number of viable bacteria found in the supplement.[1] It's important to know that higher CFU isn't always better; Nature Made^®'s probiotics strains go through clinical trials at the CFU listed on the label; and will provide the listed benefits. Nature Made^® probiotics are specifically designed with the strains women need to support digestive health.^†

Probiotics for Women FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about probiotics for women.

Should I Take a Probiotic Daily?

Probiotics are best taken daily. Probiotic strains work by attaching to the intestine's inner lining, which gets sloughed off and replaced every day.[2] Taking probiotics consistently provides your body with a regular source of beneficial bacteria to support a balanced gut microbiome.^†

Do I Need a Specific CFU Count for Women's Health?

No, you should evaluate which probiotic you choose based on these criteria: CFU count, probiotic strain and strain diversity, potency guarantee, and brand reputation.

What is the Best Form of Probiotic to Take?

There is no "best probiotic," but there may be a "best probiotic for you." Discuss this with your primary healthcare practitioner; they are best equipped with knowledge of your specific health goals and needs to help you determine whether probiotic supplementation could benefit you and which product might be the best fit.

How to get the most of taking probiotics? It's recommended to take your probiotics with a meal and a cool or room-temperature beverage. Hot beverages and stomach acid can damage the bacteria in the probiotic, affecting how many viable CFUs reach your gut.[3]

Empower Your Gut Health with Probiotics

More women are looking to probiotics to support their digestive health. Supplementing daily can help support a balanced gut microbiome with a consistent source of beneficial bacteria.^†

For more information, check out “How Do You Know if Probiotics are Working?” And if you’re looking to add a probiotic to your daily wellness routine, explore our Probiotics Collection, which has a selection of probiotics to suit every woman's health goals.^†

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. National Institutes of Health. Probiotics. Nih.gov. Published November 3, 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
2. Monteagudo-Mera A, Rastall RA, Gibson GR, Charalampopoulos D, Chatzifragkou A. Adhesion mechanisms mediated by probiotics and prebiotics and their potential impact on human health. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2019;103(16):6463-6472. doi:10.1007/s00253-019-09978-7 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6667406/
3. Tompkins TA, Mainville I, Arcand Y. The impact of meals on a probiotic during transit through a model of the human upper gastrointestinal tract. Benef Microbes. 2011;2(4):295-303. doi:10.3920/BM2011.0022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22146689/