As a health and wellness professional I get asked all the time what are the best ways to support gut health especially for women over 50.

At this stage of life gut balance becomes even more important due to age related changes in metabolism, hormone levels and immune function.

Probiotics can help with digestive health, immune function and overall vitality. But not all probiotics are created equal and finding the right probiotic supplements for older women is key.

When a woman reaches her 50’s she may be showing signs and symptoms of the menopause.

In this guide I’ll share the best probiotic supplements for women over 50 that can help with digestion, immune support and even hormone balance so you can stay healthy and vibrant as you age.

Best Probiotic Supplements for Women Over 50

1. YourBiology Gut+ – editors choice
2. Biotics 8
3. Probiotics 40 Billion
4. Garden of Life Probiotics

All 4 probiotic brands are available to order directly from the manufacturers website.

Best Probiotic for Women Over 50 Reviews and Comparison

Bacteria species from the Lactobacillus family feature prominently in all four probiotic formulations.

Lactobacillus bacteria is one of the most prevalent probiotics in the vaginal microbiome. Menopause can change the vaginal microbiome for the worse, causing many women over 50 to experience issues with bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Probiotic brands that provide Lactobacillus bacteria support improvements in vaginal health. These bacterial tweaks help reduce the likelihood of vaginal infections of this type. [4]

Research suggests menopause may also increase the risk of atherosclerosis in women. Study data indicates Lactobacillus bacteria may help prevent this from happening. [5, 6]

You can get Lactobacillus bacteria from yogurts. Most gut health supplements provide it too. However, to fully appreciate why the four products we recommend are so good, you need to dig deeper and look at the probiotic species they provide.

Certain species from the Lactobacillus family have abilities that make them very appropriate choices for all women who are over 50 and/or going through menopause.

#1 YourBiology Gut+ – Ideal Probiotic for a Woman Over 50

CLICK here to view Yourbiology price and availability

We rank YourBiology Gut+ as the top option for most women who are dealing with issues related to menopause or are likely to be doing so in the near future. It’s a high-quality probiotic pill that has been designed for women from the ground up.

The result of many years of research and development, YourBiology Gut+ is specially formulated to be beneficial to women of all ages from 18 years old to age 50 and over.

Some of the benefits the supplement provides, such as healthier-looking skin, will appeal to women of all ages. Other benefits will appeal to women at the lower or upper levels of the scale. It’s the probiotic version of one size fits all.

As is the case with most good probiotics, YourBiology Gut+ is primarily marketed as a gut health product. However, the manufacturer also points out the supplement’s value in several other areas including increasing vitality and reducing stress.

YourBiology Gut+ helps prevent bloating as well. This is a useful benefit because bloating is common among women of all ages.

The manufacturer highlights the presence of probiotic strains that can help ease the transition through menopause. Unless you are already familiar with the strains and what they can do, you may never realize what a good probiotic this is for women aged 50 and over.

YourBiology Gut+l provides 40 billion culture-forming units (CFU) per dose. Most of them are from the Lactobacillus family.

Although you can only buy YourBiology from the official site, the manufacturer offers some cracking money-savings deals and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Why Should a 50 Year Old Female Use Yourbiology?

In addition to providing useful species of probiotic bacteria, YourBiology Gut+ also contains prebiotic fiber. This feeds the bacteria, helping it to multiply.

The best probiotic fiber is FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and that’s what YourBiology Gut+ provides.

YourBiology Gut+ also utilizes Maktrek delivery technology.

Maktrek is a special coating that prevents the pills from breaking down in the stomach. By the time the probiotics are released, they are safely in the gut.

Women who are approaching 50 will need to increase beneficial bacteria in their gut for several reasons:

1. Boost gut health and digestive system
2. Improve vaginal health and reduce yeast infections
3. Boost overall health resulting in a healthy immune system
4. Reduce urinary tract infections and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

Key Probiotic Strains and Species

YourBiology Gut+ provides generous doses of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus paracasei.

For women who are over 50 or going through menopause, these three probiotic species rank among the best.

Let’s begin by taking a look at Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Research shows this probiotic species can offer significant reductions in the symptoms of menopause.

Available to read online, the research is time-consuming to process but is highly supportive of using Lactobacillus acidophilus as a probiotic treatment for menopause.

The researchers even highlight the value of using Lactobacillus acidophilus as a safe and natural alternative to HRT. [7]

Menopausal weight gain is another problem that’s common among women who are over 50. If you have this problem or worry you may do so in the future, you need to be aware that Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the best probiotics for supporting weight loss.

There are some doubts about how Lactobacillus acidophilus influences fat loss but some research suggests it may do so by activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). [8]

Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei are excellent inclusions as well. Both these probiotic species have research-backed credentials in many areas and help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

The risk of osteoporosis becomes greater after menopause. That’s one of the reasons some women risk HRT. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei are two of the best probiotic alternatives. [9]

Lactobacillus paracasei is another probiotic that supports weight loss so it will support the abilities Lactobacillus acidophilus has in this area. [10]

2# – Biotics 8 – Good Probiotic for Women and Men 50 and Over

CLICK here to view Biotics 8 price and availability

Biotics 8 could seem like an odd fit for a list of best probiotics for women over 50 because it’s marketed as being the best probiotic product for men.

However, as we have already pointed out, we selected the top 4 probiotic dietary supplements based on their ingredient profiles.

Is Biotics 8 a good probiotic for men? Absolutely. In fact, we consider it the top option but it provides ingredients that can benefit aging and menopausal ladies as well.

Why Should 50 Year Olds Buy Biotics 8?

Biotics 8 is an interesting supplement that offers much more than standard probiotics.

You probably won’t be surprised to learn, this supplement provides FOS because all the best probiotics do.

However, Biotics 8 also provides digestive enzymes and vitamin D.

If that sounds a little icky, don’t worry. The enzymes are not taken from human or animal stomachs. They come from fruit, so you can put the barf bag away.

Digestive enzymes in supplements work alongside the natural enzymes present in the stomach to enhance digestion. This can result in superior nutrient absorption. It can also increase vitality by enhancing the extraction of energy from food.

Many women in their 50’s notice they have less energy so, by providing digestive enzymes, Biotics 8 has the potential to support improvements in quality of life.

Vitamin D is also more useful than it may initially appear to be. Many people are low in this important fat-soluble vitamin, which aids immune function and calcium absorption.

Calcium plays an important role in bone health. This is a notable point if you bear in mind the potential danger of menopause causing weak bones and osteoporosis.

Probiotic Strains and Species in Biotics 8

Biotics 8 provides Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei. Both species will work well alongside vitamin D by supporting its ability to enhance bone strength. [9]

Biotics 8 also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, which has shown such good potential as a probiotic substitute for HRT. [7]

#3 – Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics

VIEW Garden of Life Probiotic for Women Price on Amazon

Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women is a good choice for women over 50 because of the targeted ingredients to support age related health issues. Let’s get into why:

Ingredient Profile

One of the best features of this probiotic is the high CFU (colony-forming units) count, 50 billion CFUs from 16 strains. Higher CFU count is especially good for older women as the diversity and strength of the gut microbiome decreases with age. This can lead to digestive issues, weakened immunity and overall imbalances.

Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum are key strains that support vaginal health and balanced microbiomes. For women in their 50s this is important as hormonal changes during menopause can cause vaginal discomforts like dryness and infections which these strains help to alleviate.

Also the formula has organic prebiotic fiber which is food for the probiotics to thrive and maintain healthy gut environment. This is especially good for digestive regularity which can become more challenging as we age.

Pros

• High CFU Count: 50 billion CFUs and 16 strains to support gut and immune system which is important for women over 50.
• Targeted for Women’s Health: Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus fermentum for vaginal health which is important during menopause.
• Prebiotic Fiber: Prebiotics to help probiotics thrive in the gut for digestive health and regularity.
• Dietary Friendly: Gluten free, dairy free, soy free for those with dietary sensitivities.
• Shelf Stable: No refrigeration needed, travel or daily use friendly.

Cons

• An Amazon purchase which can be problematic.
• May Cause Initial Digestive Discomfort: As with most probiotics some may experience mild bloating or gas when they first start taking the supplement as their gut adjusts.

Conclusion

Overall Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Probiotics for Women is a total body probiotic that supports digestive health, immune function and vaginal health. With high CFU count, multiple strains and prebiotic fiber it’s a good choice for women over 50 to boost overall well being and age related health issues.

#4 – Probiotics 40 Billion

CLICK here to view Probiotics 40 Billion price and availability

Probiotic 40 Billion is the last entry on our list of best probiotics for women who are over 50. Although we don’t rank it as highly as the previous three products, it still knocks spots off all the other options we reviewed.

Like 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum, Probiotic 40 Billion is a unisex probiotic supplement. Although the manufacturer draws attention to the probiotics’ abilities in several areas, it does not make any claims relating to the symptoms of menopause.

That’s a pity because women who encounter this popular probiotic product will have no idea of the special kind of help it can provide to women who are aged 40-50+.

After reading this far, you probably won’t be surprised to learn you can only buy Probiotic 40 Billion from the manufacturer’s site. The truth is, most of the leading supplement manufacturers prefer to handle all sales in-house.

In case you were wondering, Probiotic 40 Billion does have a money-back guarantee. It’s good for 100 days so, if you don’t see the results you want, you can ask for your money back.

Why is Probiotic 40 Billion Suited to Women 50 and Over?

Probiotic 40 Billion provides 40 billion CFU. That’s not as good as 1MD Complete probiotics Platinum but it’s still a high-potency product and the probiotics are not spread across so many species.

Is there any prebiotic fiber? You betcha! And it’s FOS. It doesn’t get any better than that and all the pill contents are shielded by Maktrek so you don’t need to worry about any probiotics escaping before they reach the gut.

Key Probiotic Strains in the Capsules

Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei contribute to the 40 billion CFU the supplement provides. As you may recall, these two species lessen the risk of osteoporosis. [9]

Bifidobacterium lactis is another key player in the formulation. This probiotic should help prevent menopausal weight gain.

Research conducted in Japan shows Bifidobacterium lactis successfully helped overweight and mildly obese people to attain decent reductions in visceral fat (belly fat). [12]

Scientists have known about the health benefits of probiotics since at least the early 1900s when the Russian scientist and Nobel laureate Élie Metchnikoff began exploring ways to replace harmful gut microbes with more useful ones. [1]

However, taking probiotics to maintain gut health and probiotic health supplements didn’t become “a thing” until the 1990s. After that things began moving fast. Probiotic foods and supplements became easily accessible and “probiotic” was a new buzzword in health and fitness circles.

Thanks to ongoing research, we now know probiotics can do a lot more than influence gut health. These friendly microorganisms can benefit the mind and body in numerous ways and people are taking probiotic supplements to achieve many aims including better immune function and weight loss.

Research shows certain probiotics can be particularly useful to women over 50. Some formulated probiotics may even help control the symptoms of menopause.

Probiotic science is a fascinating subject. It’s also complex so, in this article, we are only going to focus on the best probiotics for women who are aged 50 or older and/or trying to control issues relating to menopause.

Menopause generally starts affecting women when they are in their mid to late 40s. However, “the change of life” can sometimes be delayed until women reach their 50s.

There is no way to predict when menopause will come. It’s just the luck of the draw and, when it arrives, menopause can be a difficult transition.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Although this list is not complete, menopausal women generally have to contend with some or all of the following symptoms.

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced immune health
• Compromised digestive health
• Impaired skin health
• Greater susceptibility to vaginal infections
• Reduced interest in sex
• Worsening of memory
• Poor concentration
• Weak bones/osteoporosis

What are the Most Common Treatments for Menopause?

These days, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most common menopause treatment. Many women over 50 are happy to go this route and, although there are alternative treatments, estrogen pills are the most popular option.

However, although HRT is considered a safe and practical treatment for most menopausal women, it can present side effects.

For some women, the side effects of HRT may even be more unpleasant than the symptoms they were experiencing due to menopause. This is another issue that comes down to the luck of the draw.

HRT side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps in the legs
• Tenderness and/or swelling of the breasts.

The HRT side effects listed above generally only last for a few weeks. Unfortunately, HRT also has the potential to cause blood clots and strokes.

Research from the University of Nottingham suggests the risk of blood clots and strokes varies according to the type of HRT, with estrogen pills (the most popular option) being the most dangerous.

Data from the study shows that women who had taken HRT tablets were 58% more likely to develop blood clots within 90 days. [2]

Although many menopausal women may be unaware of the results of the aforementioned study, most are aware HRT can present these risks and often decide to choose safer alternatives. Taking probiotics are one of the options some of them choose.

What are Probiotics?

Today, in 2023, when people hear the term probiotic, they tend to associate it with the “good” type of bacteria that lives in the gut. However, although most probiotics are bacteria, the human gut also contains other useful microbes.

In this case, there is no need to complicate matters because the probiotics that are best for women who are over 50 and/or going through menopause are bacteria.

The healthy bacteria and other beneficial microbes in the human gut do not live there alone. The gut also contains harmful species of bacteria and other pathogens.

Fortunately, your good gut bacteria fight these nasties, keeping their numbers under control.

However, if something disrupts the delicate balance within the gut microbiome, it can cause many problems, such as allergies, rashes, and weight gain.

Taking a high-quality probiotic supplement every day is a good way to maintain harmony within the gut and optimize overall health.

Due to the variety of probiotic warriors, they provide the gut health supplements that work best for women over 50 and for controlling the symptoms of menopause, offering numerous additional health benefits as well.

Choosing the Best Probiotic Supplement: (for menopause and gut health)

As we already pointed out, all the best gut health supplements provide multiple benefits. One thing all the premium digestive health products do is boost immune function.

This ability alone is helpful to women going through the change because research shows menopause can weaken immunity. [3]

However, although this is a noteworthy ability, all the probiotics we recommend for mid-life and menopause offer help in other areas as well.

Finding the most effective probiotic for menopause is not easy though. The manufacturers of the brands that have the most to offer seldom focus on their chosen probiotics’ value in this area.

Unless you are familiar with the bacteria species and know what they are capable of, you are unlikely to locate the most relevant supplement options.

When we chose the top 4 probiotics for women over 50, we did not look at the marketing claims. We concentrated on the bacteria content instead and only selected supplements that contain the correct species. The focus was on digestive and vaginal health – the two issues that women over 50 should address post menopause.

Why should you take our word for it that these probiotic species are the best? You shouldn’t. Nor do you have to. We have provided links to all relevant studies in the resources section at the bottom of the page.

Why is it Important for a Woman in Her 50’s to Improve Her Digestive Health?

In her 50s, a woman begins to face numerous challenges due to physiological changes brought about by aging. Of these, one of the most important is promoting and maintaining good digestive health.

Poor digestion can cause several uncomfortable symptoms including bloating and abdominal pain. If not managed properly, it may lead to more serious conditions such as gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or peptic ulcer disease.

For this reason, it is essential for women in their 50’s to pay close attention to their digestive health by eating nutritious foods and monitoring their intake of sodium, saturated fat and sugar. If they opt for medications that could potentially affect their digestion, they should also consult with their doctor beforehand.

Implementing regular exercise into their routine can also help improve digestive health and the digestive system since exercising helps break up gas build-up which can be an indicator of poor digestion.

Taking proactive steps towards a healthy digestive system now will ultimately benefit a woman’s overall well-being in the long run. Probiotic supplementation with a female friendly brand such as Yourboliogy Gut+ is also highly recommended

Best Probiotic for Women Over 50 FAQ

What is FOS?

FOS is short for fructooligosaccharides. These prebiotic compounds are naturally occurring in many foods including chicory, garlic, and asparagus.

The human digestive organs cannot process FOS so it offers no nutritional value and arrives in the gut intact, where probiotic bacteria use it as food.

What is CFU?

CFU is an acronym. It’s short for colony-forming unit. It estimates the number of microbial cells in bacteria fungi and viruses. The higher the CFU, the higher the number of microbes.

All the best working and most effective probiotics are 20-55 billion CFU (colony forming units)

How long does it take probiotics to work?

Some benefits, such as improvements in digestion, may become apparent within just a few days but everyone responds to probiotics differently.

Certain benefits, such as weight loss and skin health, take longer. However, most people start noticing overall health benefits within 2-3 weeks.

What is the best probiotic for women over 50?

The lactobacillus family of probiotic strains are best suited to female gut health and the best for women over 50. Yourbiology Gut+ contains all of the lactobacillus family in a total of 40 billion cfu’s making it the most effective brand of probiotic supplement for women 50 and over.