If there’s one thing that I’ve noticed lately, it’s that we’re now taking our gut health very seriously. And based on the emerging research, it’s a great thing!

Gut health has only become a hot topic over the past few years as new research has cropped up proving its importance to our overall health and well-being. But in true market fashion, when a health topic gets hot and popular, we start to see a million options for it and hear from countless voices what we should be doing to optimize it. It’s dizzying!

But despite the frustration that comes with the abundance of information and options, the fact of the matter is that our gut health is legitimately important and that we should all pay attention.

One topic that was recently brought up in our community, Wellness for Womanhood, was whether or not women should take probiotics daily and, if we should be taking a pre and probiotic together. This is referred to in the industry as a “synbiotic.”

Although I’m a nutritionist and women’s health expert, I love to consult with other medical professionals to get their take, too, so that we can ensure we’re always offering the best, most relevant advice to our readers. In this article, I consulted with leading experts on the topic of taking a pre and probiotic combination and then we listed our top choices for the best pre and probiotics for women.

If you’re looking for a probiotic that also contains a prebiotic in one, there’s a good chance you’ll find a great option on this list. Let’s dig in!

Quick Guide to Our Top Choices for Pre and Probiotics for Women

Should Women Take Pre and Probiotics Together?

According to scientists and researchers, taking pre and probiotics together is a great way to optimize your gut health. Prebiotic fibers are needed to feed and strengthen the probiotic bacteria. With both organisms present, the effectiveness of the probiotics that support your gut increases. 

There are certain probiotic supplements that have prebiotics included in the formula, we often refer to them as synbiotics. The idea behind these combination supplements is that the prebiotics serves as the food source for the probiotic bacteria when they reach your large intestine, thereby strengthening the probiotics and allowing them to be more effective once they get there.

Supplements that contain both pre and probiotics can be very beneficial not just from a gut health standpoint but from a convenience standpoint. Having both components in one serving allows you to reduce the number of supplements you need to purchase and take. 

According to Dr. David Seitz, “it is safe to take both probiotics and prebiotics at the same time. When taking a supplement though, it is important to read the label carefully and follow the instructions as directed. Although generally considered safe, it is always best to consult with a doctor before taking any supplements. This ensures that they are safe for you and that they will not interact with any existing medications or conditions.”

How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together for Females?

Speaking with Dr. Sony Sherpa, she states that “probiotics are a natural supplement made of good bacteria and yeast that help maintain your health. Prebiotics are made of carbs that serve as food for the community of good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics may elevate the effectiveness of your probiotics, and taking them with probiotics is generally safe.”

“People who are immunocompromised or have a condition, such as yeast overgrowth, yeast allergy, or lactose intolerance, should avoid probiotics. If you’re taking antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotics supplements may be beneficial to help restore a healthy gut microbiome,” says Dr. Sherpa.

The concept behind probiotic manufacturers that are also adding prebiotics to their formula is that the prebiotics, in small doses, will feed the probiotics as soon as the probiotics reach the intestines. With ample food energy, the probiotics can reproduce so that they can then fight off harmful bacteria that reside in your gut microbiome.

Probiotics, as we well know now, play an integral role in the health of our gut and intestines as well as in the support of many processes in our bodies. With our modern lifestyles and external factors like stress, inflammatory foods (poor diet), and certain medications, our natural gut microbiome can easily be disrupted and therefore require additional support to maintain its balance and health.

Does a Woman Need to Take Both Prebiotics and Probiotics?

You certainly don’t need to take both pre and probiotics, nor do you have to take them together, however, it can be beneficial to do so. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each individually to get a better understanding of how they might work together for optimal gut health.

Probiotic Health Benefits

The main benefit of taking a probiotic supplement is to help restore and maintain your microbiome balance and diversity. However, there are a multitude of additional benefits you can expect from adding a probiotic to your routine, including:

• Healthy digestion
• Optimal bowel movements
• Improved immune function
• Gut-brain support
• Improved mood

Prebiotic Health Benefits

Prebiotics have just as many health benefits as probiotics, but they look a tad different:

• Short-chain fatty acid production
• Fiber for improved digestive health
• Improved immune function
• Healthy weight maintenance

It’s evident that there are plenty of benefits to taking both pre and probiotics, and if you’re like me, you want to get the most bang for your buck. Which in this case, means purchasing a supplement that contains both, so let’s get to the supplements that made our list of the top choices based on research, personal experience, and recommendations from industry experts.

Our Top Picks for Prebiotics and Probiotics For Women

The following pre and probiotic combination supplements aren’t only great for women, they’ll work for men, too. However, since our focus here at FHM is on women, we’ve geared our choices toward the options that have been proven effective for the female body.

1. Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

Seed’s DS-01 Daily Synbiotic is a daily 2-in-1 capsule probiotic and prebiotic that’s formulated for adults ages 18+ with 24 clinically and scientifically studied probiotic strains. DS-01 Daily Symbiotic by Seed gets our nod for the best prebiotic and probiotics for women thanks to the laser precision that this supplement is made with and the rigorous testing and science that went into its formulation.

The benefits of taking Seed’s Synbiotic go far beyond your gut. This highly specialized pre/probiotic combination is formulated with strains that support:

• Digestive Health
• Gut Barrier Integrity
• Gut Immune Function
• Cardiovascular Health
• Dermatological Health
• Micronutrient Synthesis
• And more!

Plus, this synbiotic formula is engineered to survive in your body which means that the Seed team created a capsule that will ensure your body receives and benefits from all the strains inside the supplement at the right place in your body. The prebiotic outer capsule contains fibers from Indian pomegranate that are biotransformed by gut microbes into powerful metabolites to promote human health. Then, the probiotic inner capsule, protected by the outer capsule, contains 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains.

Pros

• One of the most rigorously tested and researched synbiotics on the market
• Scientifically validated
• Proprietary ViaCap delivery technology to ensure the survivability and efficacy of the probiotics
• Broad spectrum formulation (24 strains)
• Benefits that expand beyond the gut (whole body health)
• No refrigeration required
• Vegan, allergen-free, and free of preservatives and binders
• Eco-friendly delivery system with refillable glass bottle and monthly sustainable refills
• They also offer a formulation for kids
• Seed is a very conscious brand that is making an incredible impact on the world

Cons

• At almost $50 per month, the price can feel steep for those on a budget

2. Ritual Synbiotic+

Sybiotic+ by Ritual is a 3-in-1 clinically-studied formula that contains prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics all in one to give you a comprehensive approach to your gut health. This unique and potent blend includes two of the world’s most clinically studied strains with a total of 11B CFUs.

Ritual’s vitamins and supplements are always on the cutting edge, offering clinically proven approaches for optimizing your health. Synbiotic+ is no different. It’s designed to provide a wide range of digestive support as well as to support your overall health and well-being. From bloat support and good bacteria growth to immune and gut barrier support, Synbiotic+ has your entire gut covered. Plus, Ritual offers some of the cleanest, most trusted supplements on the market, so you can feel confident in your decision to go with Ritual.

Pros

• 3-in-1 formula with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics
• Visible supply chain & traceable ingredients (know where they come from!)
• 11B CFUs with two of the world’s most clinically studied strains
• Helps to reduce bloat common among women
• Delayed release capsule for optimal absorption
• The daily dose is just one small, easy-to-swallow capsule
• No need to refrigerate
• Very clean, transparent, and trustworthy brand
• They also make a fantastic women’s multivitamin and protein powder

Cons

• This formula also contains postbiotics (which is a good thing!) but if you’re only looking for pre and probiotics, keep this in mind

3. Primal Gut Restore by Primal Harvest

Primal Gut Restore by the popular supplement brand, Primal Harvest is an all-natural pre and probiotic supplement that’s formulated to help support not just your gut but also your immune system response and energy levels, too. With a unique blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, Primal Restore users will enjoy the full spectrum of gut health optimization.

Primal Harvest products are of premium quality, with only the best, most clinically shown ingredients. Gut Restore contains unique ingredients that help to strengthen your gut barrier and to support regularity and digestion, both of which tend to be slower for women going through certain stages of life and/or their menstrual cycles.

Pros

• A comprehensive approach to gut health that includes pre, pro, and postbiotics
• Helps to naturally support your immune system and energy levels
• Supports digestion and regularity
• No need to refrigerate
• Premium ingredients and transparent labeling
• Trusted brand with many highly-rated supplements

Cons

• The CFU count is a tad on the lower end of the spectrum but should be perfectly acceptable for those in good health and who eat a nutrient-dense diet
• Contains a postbiotic in addition to the pre and probiotics (again, not a bad thing, but something to be aware of)

4. AG1 by Athletic Greens

AG1 by Athletic Greens is a full-body wellness approach to keeping your entire body healthy from the inside out. This synergistic combination of vitamins, minerals, pre and probiotics, and more come together to provide you with a new level of health and vibrancy.

Although AG1 is much more than a simple prebiotic and probiotic supplement, it’s important to note that the pre and probiotics contained within AG1’s formula are of the highest clinical quality and are thoughtfully designed. Plus, Athletic Greens sources their prebiotic fiber from natural, whole food sources like apples, beets, artichokes, and kelp to consistently provide your body with a fresh supply of nutrients that you might be otherwise lacking in your daily diet.

Pros

• Contains pre and probiotics for a synbiotic approach to gut optimization
• Includes 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced nutrients
• Promotes weight loss
• Helps to boost energy naturally
• Supports your immune health
• Comes in a convenient powder drink mix
• A very highly-rated brand with countless positive reviews

Cons

• It’s not just a pre and probiotic, it’s a complete wellness supplement
• It’s a powdered drink mix, not ideal for those who prefer to swallow capsules

5. Organic Veggies+ from MindBodyGreen

Organic Veggies+ from MindBodyGreen is an organic whole-food powder blend that contains 31 powerful ingredients including prebiotics and probiotics to help support your gut health. Plus, this unique super-food blend contains things like organic alkalizing sea vegetables, dark leafy greens, root vegetables, berries, herbal botanicals, and digestive enzymes.

This powdered blend tastes great and helps to promote all wellness from the inside out. MindBodyGreen is known for its clean, organic, and super-effective products, and the Organic Veggies+ supplement is no exception. What’s more, is that it’s very easy to add to your daily diet as this powder is meant to be added directly to your favorite meals.

Pros

• Promotes a healthy gut microbiome thanks to the pre and probiotics included
• Helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels
• Aids in nutrient absorption and digestion
• Supports hormonal balance
• Can help to detoxify the body
• Vegan, organic, soy, dairy, and gluten-free
• A clean brand with a reputation for quality
• Easy to consume by adding to your meals

Cons

• Some users complained that the powder added a bad taste to their food

6. Pre/Probiotics by needed.

Needed makes high-quality supplements designed specifically for women. Despite the fact that these pre and probiotics are marketed towards prenatal (pregnant) women, these are actually perfect for any woman, prenatal or not. Needed offers targeted spore-based and non-spore-forming strains that you need to take your gut health to the next level.

This supplement is formulated to cultivate both a healthy vaginal and gut microbiome, making it the ideal choice for women specifically. If you happen to be pregnant, this pre/probiotic is safe and will help support both your and your baby’s immune system, balance your moods, optimize digestion, and support healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Pros

• 26B CFUs per dose 
• Contains both pre and probiotic strains
• Safe for pregnancy
• Perfect for women as it also supports our vaginal microbiome
• Thoughtfully sourced ingredients
• A great, female-specific brand with a nice selection of niche products

Cons

• Some non-pregnant women might not feel comfortable taking a prebiotic and probiotic that’s marketed for pregnancy

7. Complete Gut Health from Mary Ruth Organics

Another 3-in-1 probiotic supplement, Mary Ruth offers an easy way to support your gut health from all angles. This specialized formula contains pre, pro, and postbiotics to offer a well-rounded approach to balancing and optimizing your gut health. 

Made with vegan capsules and from premium quality ingredients, Mary Ruth Organics offers a safe, reliable, and trusted way to experience the benefits of pre and probiotic combination supplements without any of the junk and fillers. Mary Ruth’s is an excellent resource for wellness supplements for the whole family.

Pros

• Contains pre and probiotics
• Includes 5 live strains
• Helps to support your gut and immune system
• Vegan, natural, and safe
• A trusted brand with many great products

Cons

• Contains a lower CFU count than some other options

8. Gut Bio Max by KaraMD

Gut Bio Max by KaraMD is a total digestive health supplement that contains all three components - prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to help you optimize your gut and overall wellness. This doctor-formulated supplement is made with all-natural ingredients, is vegan-friendly, and is safe for those with allergies. 

Dr. Kara formulated this supplement to help those who wish to optimize their gut health and overall health and wellness. Plus, the strains used in this formula have been clinically proven to survive stomach acid and colonize in the intestines, which is a more beneficial place.

Pros

• Doctor formulated
• Contains pre and probiotics
• 10B CFUs per serving
• Plant-based ingredients
• No need to refrigerate

Cons

• The capsules are a tad on the larger side for those who struggle with large capsules

Wrapping Up: What Are the Best Pre and Probiotics to Take For Women?

When it comes to women’s health, there’s a lot of information and options out there, which is why we take finding the best ones for you seriously. Pre and probiotics are undoubtedly the way to go for those who are serious about optimizing their gut health and who perhaps don’t get enough from their daily nutrition.

The hustle and bustle of today’s world prevent many of us from eating in a way that’s conducive to our best health, which is why adding in certain supplements like a pre/probiotic combination is more important than ever. 

While there aren’t currently a lot of supplement manufacturers who include both the prebiotic fibers and probiotics together in one formula, there are still plenty to choose from. Our hope is that this list has at least one option that caught your eye and might be in alignment with your goals, budget, and unique needs.