13 Best Probiotics For Women UK 2025
Which probiotic is most recommended by doctors?While there isn't one single probiotic definitively most recommended by doctors, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, including strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum, are frequently studied and recommended for various gut health concerns.The Heights Biotic⁺, Epetōme Synbiotic Duo Cap and The Nue Co. Prebiotic + Probiotic all came up in our research as the best probiotics for women in the UK. They are all high-quality products, backed by scientific research and technology, brimming with CFU and bacteria strains, and help digestion, strengthen immunity, and nurture gut health.Read MoreIron-ing out the truth.What are prebiotics and probiotics?“Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the body and are found in very large numbers in the gut,” explains Shona Wilkinson, lead nutritionist at DR.VEGAN. “Our bodies are teeming with organisms ranging from bacteria to fungi and parasites, which are kept in check by probiotics.”Many of our body systems rely on probiotics to function properly. “Probiotics help with the digestion of food by producing digestive enzymes, support the function of the immune system, promote effective detoxification, create neurotransmitters when they travel to the brain, and they also help to maintain healthy skin," adds Wilkinson.As for prebiotics?“Prebiotics are ‘food’ for good bacteria, and these can come from most of the plants we eat, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole-grains, like oats. But the prebiotics that are in some probiotic supplements often aggravate gut symptoms for people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome," says Sophie Medlin, Consultant dietitian and head of nutritional research at Heights. “This is because the supplemental kinds are rapidly fermenting, so if you have gut symptoms like bloating or gas, it’s a good idea to take a probiotic without a prebiotic added.”Are there specific benefits of probiotics for women?Absolutely. There are dedicated probiotics to assist with vaginal and urinary tract health, skin health, gut health, and immunity support. Probiotics can also potentially help conditions like bacterial vaginosis, as they maintain a balanced vaginal microbiome, which in turn reduces the risk of infections and common gynecological conditions. Probiotics may help stabilise hormone levels, which can be beneficial for women experiencing hormonal fluctuations, and can act as an aid for fertility.“Probiotic supplements are designed to boost the numbers of beneficial bacteria and support our overall health. Just a few benefits are that they reduce inflammation, support our brain health and manage our immune system,” says Medlin.Read MoreAll the ways it's changed my life (and work).Do I need a probiotic supplement?Generally, many turn to probiotics when their gut health or immune system has been negatively impacted by illness, food quality, stress and medications such as antibiotics. “Some people like to take them as a part of their recovery regime, whereas others prefer daily use,” shares Rhian Stephenson, founder of ARTAH. “It's really about how you want to feel and what your lifestyle looks like as a whole."But what if you don't feel as though you suffer from an unbalanced gut microbiome in any obvious way? Do you still need a probiotic then?“When we look at the microbiomes in populations of people who live in tribal communities and aren’t exposed to processed food, pollution, antibacterial hygiene products and other normalities of daily life in the UK, we see they have many strains of bacteria that we no longer have in our microbiomes," Medlin explains. "This helps us to understand that some of the factors contributing to us struggling so much with diseases of inflammatory origin like diabetes and heart disease as well as autoimmune conditions and mental health disorders may be linked to the loss of some essential strains of gut bacteria that could be supporting our short and long term health better."When we know that our microbiome plays a crucial role in our overall health, not just our gut function, we can see that a good quality probiotic is a good insurance policy for good health.” No matter who you are.Are there any risks or side effects to taking probiotics?You may experience temporary digestive issues like gas, bloating, or diarrhoea as your body adjusts to the probiotics, so it's best to start taking them when you don't have a full social calendar. But these side effects subside within a few days or weeks, depending on how sensitive your gut is. Introduce probiotics gradually, and if you have any current intestinal problems, talk to your doctor before starting probiotics.Read MoreIt sounds too good to be true, but is it? What should I look for when choosing a probiotic for women's health?“Good quality probiotics for women will include well-researched strains that are genetically identical to those used in the research – and will be in the same quantities as is used in the research supporting them," Medlin advises. "They will be in a delayed-release capsule and will have a blend of probiotics designed to work synergistically to support one another. They will also have research to demonstrate they reach the gut alive and have beneficial effects in the colon when they get there.”Specific strains you could look for vaginal health include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. Also, aim for a product with a high number of CFUs, as this indicates the number of live bacteria in the supplement. A general recommendation is to choose products with at least 1 billion CFUs.What does CFU mean – and what's the difference between CFU and CFU ATM?CFU stands for ‘colony-forming unit’, which refers to the number of live, active microorganisms present in one dose or capsule. When you see a CFU number advertised on a bottle of probiotics, you can take that as the minimum number of CFU present at the end of its shelf life. For example, our favourite probiotic overall, the Heights Biotic⁺, is guaranteed to still have 20bn CFU after 18 months.On the contrary, CFU ATM stands for colony-forming unit at the time of manufacture. So, when it's fresh, not at the end of the shelf-life, when you'll likely still be taking it, and the number of CFUs has dropped.Read MoreFor someone who has trouble eating vegetables and suffers from bloating, this is a great option.How often should I take probiotics?While some probiotic products recommend that you take them with a meal, Ara notes that it may be more beneficial to do so on an empty stomach, ideally 15 to 45 minutes before a meal, or two to three hours after eating.“Stomach acid is potentially harmful to [live microorganisms], and as you might expect, having food in your stomach means more stomach acid and bile are released, making it a more challenging environment to pass through,” Medlin says. “However, we also acknowledge that each person is unique, and what’s ideal for probiotic survival may not be ideal for your needs.”You should also bear in mind that depending on your body, it may take some time to adjust to probiotics. It's not uncommon to experience side effects such as feeling bloated, a mildly upset stomach or passing gas. However, if side effects persist, please make sure to speak to a healthcare professional before continuing to take your probiotic supplements.
Comments (0)