The 9 Best Probiotics For Women 50+ For Menopause Belly, Vaginal Health & More*

Women are twice as likely as men to experience bloating and struggle with regularity, and hormonal changes after age 50 only make matters worse.

Enter: mindbodygreen's probiotic+ supplement, which contains four probiotic strains specifically studied for gut health and comfort. In this probiotic, you'll find clinically relevant amounts of B. lactis Bi-07 to ease bloating and promote comfort, B. lactis B420 to help with healthy weight management, B. lactis HN019 to support digestion and regularity (while reducing gas), and L. acidophilus NCFM to encourage healthy bowel movements. It's a one-stop shop for healthy, comfortable digestion. Many reviewers notice a real difference within a few weeks of taking the product. While probiotic+ has proven helpful for women over 50, it's suitable for younger women and men as well.*

Save money when you sign up for a mindbodygreen probiotic+ subscription ($69/month), or buy once for $80. New customers save 10% on their first order with promo code MBG10.

Many women experience weight fluctuations as they age and during perimenopause/menopause. When paired with a healthy diet and exercise, the right probiotics can help support a healthy body weight.*

This single-strain probiotic from legacy brand Metagenics delivers 10 billion CFUs of Bifidobacterium lactis B420: a strain that supports a healthy weight through reductions in caloric intake, abdominal fat mass, and waist circumference. It's far and away the most rigorously studied strain for weight management.

Many reviewers have found that this supplement gets to work almost immediately, and it helps with other markers of gastrointestinal health (think: more regularity and less gas), too.*

More than half of postmenopausal women experience occasional vaginal dryness. Research has shown that when compared with estrogen alone, estrogen combined with probiotics can significantly improve key vaginal health scores.

Lactobacillus is the bacterial genus that plays a protective role along the microbiome of the vaginal canal and urinary tract. This blend from Thorne includes eight strains of Lactobacillus bacteria—most notably L. acidophilus UALA-01, which has been shown to promote a balanced vaginal pH, and L. reuteri RC-14, which has been shown to help protect against urogenital tract concerns.

Though it does contain proprietary blends, which aren’t ideal from a transparency standpoint, Thorne's supplement contains thoughtful strains that are targeted for vaginal health.*

Hormonal changes can also cause changes in the lining of the vagina and urinary tract that make them more susceptible to immune challenges. Taking MegaFood Women’s Probiotic + Prebiotic can help re-invigorate the urinary tract with 14 healthy bacterial strains, most notably Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Lactobacillus plantarum LP115.

These have been shown in preclinical studies to help protect against urinary tract health concerns, and they might have a beneficial impact on mood too, as HN001 has been studied for combatting anxiousness and mood support during the postpartum period. The probiotic also contains prebiotics (from beet, burdock, and dandelion roots) to feed these beneficial bacteria, and the added cranberry for further protection against harmful bacteria is a nice touch.*

You can feel good buying from MegaFood, a certified B Corp for its commitment to sustainability. Just note that this product should be taken with a meal and stored in the fridge or freezer upon arrival.

If you prefer a non-capsule option, this probiotic from Ora comes in a flavored powder that can be mixed with water or blended into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. One scoop delivers seven bacterial strains in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genus that are geared toward digestive health, mood, and a healthy inflammatory response (though Ora recommends starting with half a scoop a day to get used to the product). As far as powders go, these are super clean and get their "apple raspberry" and "lavender lemonade" flavors from natural, organic sources with no added sugar.

This option may be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with regularity since its strains have been studied for both slowing things down and getting things moving. It also contains prebiotic fiber from organic Jerusalem artichokes for added gut support.*

This product gets rave reviews for its ability to ease menopausal lifestyle challenges and help with temperature regulation, mental clarity, and mood. It contains probiotic strains that have been studied for weight management and a healthy inflammatory response, and it has a suite of botanicals geared toward menopausal women. Magnolia bark extract helps support sleep quality; red clover helps promote hormonal balance; and chaste berry extract offers mood support and reduces anxiousness. The accompanying MenoLife app also lets users keep track of how the non-hormonal supplement is working for them over time.*

Looking for a probiotic that can also help meet your nutritional needs? This option from Garden of Life contains a modest amount of Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum for gut health, more than 20 powdered organically grown fruits and vegetables, and a well-rounded array of essential vitamins and minerals. It's essentially a multivitamin, a fruit and veggie powder, and a probiotic in one—hence why each serving is a hefty four capsules. Reviewers note that even though taking so many capsules can be a pain, the product helps them feel more energized, focused, and strong.*

Another fun side effect of menopause is the accumulation of body fat in the lower belly and torso, leading to what some call "menopause belly." This probiotic by Designs for Health can help give you a leg up on a healthy and comfortable midsection with strains that have been studied to lower fat mass (B. Breve B-3), and it also has strains for immunity (L. Acidophilus La-14) and urinary tract health (L. Casei Lc-11).*

It's designed as a slow-release formula to help ensure more of its beneficial probiotics actually reach the digestive tract. One capsule a day is all you need, but the product should be refrigerated to maintain quality.

Got a sweet tooth? Probiotic gummies are here for you. This option from Renew Life packs in two strands, B. coagulans SNZ 1969 for digestive regularity and B. subtilis DE111, which has been studied for healthy cholesterol levels, plus prebiotics and cranberry powder for urinary health.*

It's a relatively healthy option as far as gummies go, with no artificial flavors or synthetic colors, though each serving does contain 3 grams of added sugar. At 2 billion CFUs per serving, it also doesn't deliver as many good bugs as many other picks on the list.