




- 2-in-1 probiotic and prebiotic
- 24 studied strains, 53.6 billion AFU
- Helps support gut, skin & heart health
- Strain validation through clinical research



- Collagen Types I and III
- Sugar, soy, gluten, and dairy-free
- 25 servings per jar
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- 4 easy-to-mix flavored options



- Helps a healthy gut lining and immune system
- 1 strain, 2 billion CFUs
- Doctor-developed and guaranteed
- Made in a GMP-certified facility



- Supports craving control & healthy metabolism
- 5 strains, 12 billion CFUs
- With green tea extract to aid fast metabolism
- Doctor recommended & third-party tested





- Maintains digestive, immune, and skin health
- 8 clinically-studied strains, 40 billion CFUs
- NANOFUSE® helps absorb better than capsules
- USA-made in a GMP-certified facility
What are Probiotic Supplements?
Probiotic supplements contain live yeasts and bacteria that have various health benefits, especially for your digestive system.
Although many people attach negative connotations to the term bacteria, both good and bad bacteria are found naturally in our bodies. Probiotics contain the good bacteria that your body needs to function effectively, particularly for women going through menopause.
When you take a probiotic supplement, it can help to maintain a balance between all the bacteria in your digestive system, which can then support your body’s natural immunity. Likewise, while many healthy habits are important, taking probiotics can help replace good bacteria that your body may need to replenish due to normal life activities, even with moderate smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking antibiotics.
Another function of probiotics is to help food travel through your body more effectively by working with the nerves that regulate the movement within your gut.
Your doctor or healthcare practitioner may recommend taking a probiotic supplement (sometimes in the form of a yogurt) for gut health, including if you are experiencing occasional health complaints such as the following.
Menopause symptoms
Digestive issues/Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Yeast complications
Constipation
Diarrhea
Lactose sensitivity
Gum issues
Dry skin/Eczema
Although the use of probiotics should be safe if you are in good health, you should always consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a weakened immune system, or if you have any other serious chronic health complaints.
What You Need to Know Before Choosing Probiotic Supplements
As with any product, certain people may experience greater benefits from using probiotics than others. One of the reasons for this is that the composition of the bacteria in every human body is unique. Not even identical twins are alike in this regard.
Before you begin taking probiotics for menopause or for any other reason, it is helpful to understand some of the terminology used in relation to these products and their ingredients.
Microbiome: A community of organisms living in the same environment.
Bifidobacterium: A good bacteria and common ingredient in probiotics. It is normally found in the intestine and useful for occasional diarrhea and constipation.
Lactobacillus: A species of good bacteria found in probiotics that helps absorb nutrients and break down food.
Saccharomyces boulardii: A yeast often found in probiotics and used for improving the gut microbiome.
When you’re selecting a probiotic supplement, it’s sensible to choose a brand you’re familiar with, as many of these companies have years of testing and research behind them. Likewise, you should read the label carefully to make sure you find the best product for your particular health goals. For example, the best probiotic for women in menopause isn’t necessarily the best probiotic for men.
Unsurprisingly, the cost of probiotics will vary, and the cheapest products may also be of low quality. One indication of quality is the number of live colony forming units (CFUs), which gives you information about the amount of bacteria in each dose. As a rule of thumb, you're more likely to have a better experience with probiotics that contain at least one billion CFUs.
Be aware that certain foods interfere with probiotics and are best avoided while taking these supplements. These include the following:
Carbonated drinks
Processed foods
Red meat
Refined oils
You should also seek medical advice before giving probiotic supplements to a child.
How Long Does it Take for Probiotic Supplements to Work?
As every person has a unique colony of bacteria in their digestive system, there is no guaranteed amount of time after which probiotic supplements will start to take effect after you begin taking them.
The strain of probiotic you’re taking, the product’s brand, the supplement’s formula, and your overall health are all key factors impacting the effectiveness of probiotics and the speed with which they work.
Although some products may yield results against minor complaints such as occasional diarrhea within a few days, most people need to wait 2 to 3 weeks before experiencing significant benefits from taking the supplements. This is because the probiotic needs time to rebalance the level of bacteria in your gut and support healthy digestion.
Some people also notice symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas when they begin taking probiotics. These symptoms are a result of changes in your gut’s microbiome, and they should resolve themselves within several days or weeks. This is an important detail to remember if you’re searching for the best probiotic for menopause bloating.
If, however, you notice any persistent or serious side effects after taking probiotics, you should consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner immediately, and discontinue using any probiotic products.
Our Top 3 picks
- 1good8.3
- Best for - Supporting strong & healthy metabolism
- Qualifications - Produced in a GMP-certified facility
- ATTENTION - Big multi-bottle discounts
- 2very good8.6Subscription synbiotic with unique strains2-in-1 24-strain probiotic + prebiotic
- Best for - Whole-body benefits
- Strain & CFU count - 24
- Qualifications - Qualifications- Strain validation through clinical research
- Servings - 30 capsules
2-in-1 24-strain probiotic + prebioticDescriptionSeed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic includes 24 probiotic not commonly found in dietary sources that serve to support heart, dermatological and digestive health. You must commit to a subscription to order from Seed, but you can pause or cancel your subscription anytime. Seed also offers a 30-day risk-free guarantee.
Why we chose Seed’s DS-01®: We chose DS-01® because its products’ benefits extend in and beyond gut health and the company has a strong focus on clinical research.
Our experience: We were impressed by the user-friendliness of Seed’s website and the helpful resources. Regarding the products, we appreciated the high CFU count and the diverse amount of bacterial strains.
Pros & ConsSeed Pros & Cons
PROS
Whole-body benefitsClinically and scientifically-studied strainsHigh CFU countCONS
Monthly subscription requiredPricier than other probiotics - 3very good8.6NativePath - Unflavored Collagen Peptide PowderGet up to 55% off
- Best for - Aiding regular digestive cycles
- Strain & CFU count - 10
- Qualifications - Doctor-developed & recommended
- ATTENTION - Big multi-bag discounts
Get up to 55% offDescriptionHelp keep your nails strong and healthy and promote healthy tissue recovery with NativePath's specifically-designed collagen peptide formula. It dissolves easily into food or drinks, plus it's third-party tested for qualiy and purity.
Pros & ConsNativePath Pros & Cons
PROS
Clump-free and odorless formulaSugar, soy, gluten, and dairy-freeNo additives or fillersFree shippingCONS
No capsule formNot vegan-friendly - 4very good8.6Natural high-quality supplements for good health
- Best for - Helping a healthy gut lining
- Strain & CFU count - 1
- Qualifications - Doctor-developed and guaranteed
- Servings - 30
Natural high-quality supplements for good healthDescriptionGundry MD is a supplement provider offering naturally made products to help support your health. The company offers a wide range of products including Bio Complete 3, a combination of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. Bio Complete 3, like all Gundry MD products, contains only the highest quality natural ingredients that support optimal health.
Pros & ConsGundry MD Pros & Cons
PROS
90-day money-back guaranteeFree US shipping for members and all orders over $49Includes prebioticsCONS
Slightly pricier than similar brandsNo subscription service - 5good8.3Contains compounds that curb junk food cravings
- Best for - Supporting craving control
- Strain & CFU count - 5
- Qualifications - Doctor recommended
- Servings - 90
Contains compounds that curb junk food cravingsDescriptionBio-X4 is a 4-in-1 formula that contains products meant to boost your metabolism, increase energy, ease digestion, and reduce junk food cravings. This probiotic not only contains bacteria but also enzymes that facilitate digestion and a potent green tea extract that supercharges your metabolism.
Pros & ConsNucific Pros & Cons
PROS
90-day money-back guaranteeContains synergistic ingredients for weight lossGluten-free and allergen-freeCONS
Not a one-a-day formulaNucific's website the only place to purchase - 6excellent9.0
- Best for - Aiding healthy digestion
- Strain & CFU count - 2 clinically-studied strains, 11 billion CFUs
- Qualifications - Third-party tested and shelf-stable
DescriptionRitual offers a 3-in-1 clinically studied prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic to support a balanced gut microbiome. The ingredients are Made Traceable®, free of major allergens, non-GMO, and vegan. The company is a Certified B Corp and has high welfare standards for the workers in its supply chain and conducts third-party testing on every product lot for identity, purity, strength, and composition. Setting up a subscription means you’ll receive a monthly delivery with no effort required, and it’s easily canceled online for peace of mind.
Pros & ConsRitual Pros & Cons
PROS
Money back guaranteeMint-flavored capsulesEvery batch tested for purity and compositionCONS
No option to buy without subscribingMore expensive than most other brands - 7very good8.6
- Best for - Maintaining digestive, immune, and skin health
- Strain & CFU count - 8 clinically-studied strains, 40 billion CFUs
- Qualifications - USA-made in a GMP-certified facility
- Servings - 30 per bottle
DescriptionManna’s pre- and probiotic liposomal drink utilizes NANOFUSE® technology to aid absorption and keep your gut healthy. In addition to the 8 clinically-studied strains, their formula incorporates a range of natural ingredient including sunflower oil, cocoa butter, and organic lemon extract.
Pros & ConsManna Pros & Cons
PROS
90-day money-back guaranteeIncludes chicory root extractNANOFUSE® to help absorb better than capsulesCONS
No capsule formNo bulk-order discounts - 8good8.1Supports healthy digestion and energy
- Best for - Aiding weight management
- Strain & CFU count - 5
- Qualifications - Third-party tested for purity
- Servings - 30
Supports healthy digestion and energyDescriptionUnify Health Labs is a health and nutrition company founded by musician, record producer, and TV personality Randy Jackson. The company sells high-quality supplements that help customers live the healthiest, happiest lives possible. The most popular Unify Health Labs product is the Multi-GI 5, which contains 12 powerful ingredients that improve gut health.
Pros & ConsUnify Health Labs Pros & Cons
PROS
Contains prebiotics, probiotics, and a GI Health blendCan reduce gas, bloating, and irregularityMay boost energy levels and improve focusCONS
Doesn’t come in capsule formMore expensive than other probiotic products - 9good8.4SkinnyFit - Super Youth Multi-Collagen Powder Savings starting at 40% off
- Servings - 28 per jar
Savings starting at 40% offDescriptionSupport the overall health of your hair, skin, bones, nails, and gut with SkinnyFit’s specially formulated SuperYouth Multi-Collagen Peptide Powder. Including five different types of collagen derived from all-natural sources, it supports the healing of muscle and connective tissue, making it the perfect post-workout supplement.
Pros & ConsSkinnyFit Pros & Cons
PROS
90-day money-back guaranteeIncludes ACV, hyaluronic acid, & vitamin CRange of flavors availableCONS
Not available in capsule formContains sodiumNot allergen-friendly - 10good8.0Get key nutrients from quality supplements
- Best for - Keeping gas and bloating down
- Strain & CFU count - 11
- Qualifications - Recommended by a gastrointestinal doctor
- Servings - 30 per jar
Get key nutrients from quality supplementsDescription1MD Nutrition’s collagen capsules are made with a unique formula designed to support joint mobility and flexibility. With other beneficial minerals and nutrients included in 1MD Nutrition’s collagen supplements, you can help keep your body’s connective tissues strong and healthy.
Pros & Cons1MD Nutrition Pros & Cons
PROS
90-day money-back guaranteeFree shipping in the U.S.No wheat, peanuts, or shellfishCONS
No flavored optionsNo collagen Type IIISome reports of damaged deliveries