Let’s first address the likely elephant on the page: Most dietary supplements can be used by both men and women. Yep, men can enjoy the best protein bars for women and reap the same benefits of protein.
Multivitamins are often the exception, however. While the best multivitamins for men and women share some overlap, there are certain nutrients women should pay more attention to.
Of course, we always preach a foods-first approach to snag those daily nutrients. And you can’t solely multivitamin your way to good health, just as you can’t outrun a bad diet, although there are multi-factors that might warrant taking one.
So, what’s the best multivitamin for women? Our team of strong, powerful women at Garage Gym Reviews personally tested dozens of multivitamins. I, a registered dietitan, then reviewed the formulation and dosages of each one to round up 15 great options for just about every life stage, dietary restriction, and more!
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
NOTE: We intend the term “women” to include all women, including trans women. However, we recognize that almost all research on this topic has focused on cis women. For that reason, when we reference gender-based research and nutritional recommendations, we will clarify by saying “cis women.” We encourage trans and nonbinary people of all genders to check in with a trans-competent nutritionist regarding their supplements and training needs.
Best Multivitamins for Women
- Best Overall Multivitamin for Women: Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Best Multivitamin for Active Women: Ritual Essential for Women 18+
- Best Multivitamin for Women Athletes: Legion Triumph
- Best Vegan Multivitamin for Women: Future Kind Essential Vegan Multivitamin
- Best Multivitamin for Women with Probiotics: Nutricost Multivitamin with Probiotics
- Best Subscription Multivitamin for Women: Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multi For Women
- Best Multivitamin Without Iron: O.N.E. Multivitamin by Pure Encapsulations
- Best Budget Multivitamin for Women: Nature Made Multi For Her
- Best Gummy Multivitamin for Women: OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi
- Best Budget Prenatal Vitamin for Women: Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
- Best Prenatal Multivitamin for Women: FullWell Prenatal
- Best Organic Multivitamin for Women: Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily
- Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50: MegaFood Multi for Women 55+
- Best Multivitamin for Women with Iron: Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women Multivitamin
- Best Multivitamin for Women in Their 40s and 50s: New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily 40+
Best Multivitamin Overall: Transparent Labs Multivitamin
Good for: Anyone looking for a high-quality multivitamin that is third-party tested
Transparent Labs Multivitamin is designed to support overall wellness for active adults. This supplement has limited but very positive reviews and may be sold out when you go to buy it.
What our tester says:
“It’s a bit much to take all four capsules at once since they’re rather large, and I still felt like one was stuck in my throat for a few minutes afterward.”
Best Multivitamin for Active Women: Ritual Essential for Women 18+
Good for: Active people who want to prioritize their health
Ritual Essential for Women 18+ is ideal for women who want a minimalist, high-quality multivitamin. Its clean label and traceable sourcing are big wins, though the pared-back formula may not suit those needing broader coverage.
What our tester says:
“The mint tab makes them smell and taste like mint, which is quite pleasant. Definitely more preferable than a typical pill flavor!”
Best Multivitamin for Women Athletes: Legion Triumph
Good for: Athletes looking to boost performance, mood, and physical and mental health.
Legion Triumph offers an impressive lineup of clinically dosed ingredients, making it a solid choice for athletic women who demand more from their multivitamin. Just be prepared for a high pill count.
What our tester says:
“8 pills equals one serving. Like who does that? I only took the full serving a few times. The rest of the time I just took 4 pills becuase it just seemed so excessive.”
Best Vegan Multivitamin for Women: Future Kind Essential Vegan Multivitamin
Good for: Vegans and plant-based eaters
Future Kind’s Essential Vegan Multivitamin is a smart pick for women on plant-based diets who want to cover core nutrient gaps. It’s not a full multivitamin, but its simplicity and sustainability are big pluses.
Best Multivitamin for Women with Probiotics: Nutricost Multivitamin with Probiotics
Good for: Supporting gut health while maximizing nutrient intake
Nutricost Multivitamins has research-backed doses of 22 vitamins and minerals, and is also one of the most affordable multivitamin supplements.
What our tester says:
“If you find yourself struggling to get enough micronutrients through diet alone, this multivitamin is likely to cover any nutrient gaps you may have.”
Best Subscription Multivitamin for Women: Performance Lab NutriGenesis for Women
Good for: Anyone looking to benefit from subscribe and save options
Performance Lab’s NutriGenesis Multi For Women delivers a potent, plant-based multivitamin backed by innovative nutrient tech. The price is steep, but the formula is one of the cleanest you’ll find.
Best Multivitamin Without Iron: Pure Encapsulations O.N.E. Multivitamin
Good for: Anyone looking for a high-quality multivitamin without the iron
O.N.E. Multivitamin is a professional-grade option for women who don’t need iron. It’s streamlined, effective, and widely trusted—but may be overkill for more casual users.
Best Budget Multivitamin for Women: Nature Made Multi for Her
Good for: People who are health and cost-conscious
Nature Made Multi For Her offers reliable coverage of daily essentials at a low price. It’s a no-frills choice for budget-minded shoppers who want a simple solution.
Best Gummy Multivitamin for Women: OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi
Good for: Anyone who’d rather chew their nutrients
OLLY The Perfect Women’s Multi is a fun and flavorful way to get your daily nutrients. While it’s not the most potent option, it’s an easy win for consistency.
What our tester says:
“These don’t upset my stomach like most pills do. They do have a bit of a weird aftertaste, but not too bad.”
Best Budget Prenatal Multivitamin for Women: Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
Good for: Expecting parents who want to safeguard their bank accounts and health
Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA is a wallet-friendly choice for pregnancy nutrition. It’s not the cleanest formula, but it gets the job done at a great price.
Best Prenatal Multivitamin for Women: FullWell Prenatal
Good for: Expecting parents looking for a high-quality prenatal without iron and DHA
FullWell Prenatal is a high-quality, RD-formulated option that delivers on both transparency and nutrition. The high pill count may be a downside, but the nutrient coverage is top-tier.
Best Organic Multivitamin for Women: Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily
Good for: People who prioritize organic products and their health
Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily is one of the cleanest, most organic options available. It’s great for eco-conscious users, though those needing higher nutrient doses may want more
Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50: MegaFood Multi for Women 55+
Good for: Post-menopausal people looking for a high-quality multi without iron
Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily is one of the cleanest, most organic options available. It’s great for eco-conscious users, though those needing higher nutrient doses may want more
Best Multivitamin for Women with Iron: Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women Multivitamin
Good for: Increasing iron needs to support pre-menopausal people
Optimum Nutrition’s Opti-Women delivers a well-rounded formula with iron, making it ideal for active women or those with increased iron needs. A solid choice from a gym-trusted brand.
Best Multivitamin for Women in their 40s and 50s: New Chapter Every Woman’s One Daily 40+
Good for: People who want to approach middle age with health top of mind
New Chapter’s Every Woman’s One Daily 40+ offers age-specific, fermented nutrition in a single convenient tablet. It’s a great option for midlife women looking for herbal and energy support.
Other Multivitamins for Women We Researched
With (almost) limitless mineral and vitamin supplements on the market, it’s challenging to confine other great products into one list. That said, other women’s multivitamins we researched and approved include:
- SmartyPants Women’s Formula Gummy: We liked these gummies but simply preferred Olly gummies more, though both are great options.
- Garden of Life Vitamin Code Women: We love Garden of Life vitamins. However, we chose the Organic Once Daily formula instead, as we prefer the formulation a little more.
- HUM Base Control: This vitamin has a solid formulation and is affordable but received a slightly lower overall score than the other options on our list.
Let’s Chat About Multivitamins
Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what multivitamins are. At its essence, a multivitamin contains various vitamins and minerals—the National Institutes of Health refers to multivitamins as multivitamins/minerals (MVM) for this reason.
The nutrients in multivitamins and the amounts and forms vary between brands. And especially if promoting a specific benefit, like improved energy and gut health, some multivitamins also contain herbs and probiotics for a nutritional boost.
Vitamins found in most multivitamins include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B complex or B vitamins (like folic acid and vitamin B12)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
And often these minerals:
- Calcium
- Iodine
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zinc
Supplement labels quantify the amount of each provided nutrient as Daily Values (%DV) based on one serving.
Calcium
Calcium plays an important role in bone health. Unfortunately, women today often suffer from poor bone health later in life, such as osteoporosis-related health problems. Maintaining sufficient amounts of calcium in your diet can help to prevent or decrease potential bone health issues. Despite that, research has found that many young women consume well under the recommended daily dose of calcium. This is not good because calcium plays an essential role when it comes to bone growth and maintaining healthy bone density levels.
Another important reason for women to stay on top of their calcium intake is that when women go through menopause, they experience accelerated bone mineral loss, and proper calcium intake throughout life may help to mitigate this. Bone mineral loss can result in having weaker bones and may increase your chances of bone fractures. In order to prevent issues like this, it’s ideal to consume the daily recommended dose of calcium on a regular basis, especially in your earlier years.
Iodine
Now let’s talk about the important mineral Iodine. It has a key role when it comes to the proper functioning of thyroid hormones, and these hormones play a large role in cognitive functioning and metabolism. While iodine is important for everyday health in women, it’s especially important during pregnancy. Iodine and thyroid hormones are needed to facilitate the various fetal growth and formation processes. You can only obtain iodine through dietary sources such as dairy products, seafood, or supplements which makes it a bit more challenging to maintain proper levels and increases the importance of supplementation.
Iron
Another important mineral to touch on is iron. It’s not uncommon for people to be deficient in iron, it’s actually one of the most common nutritional problems for people all over the world. People who are very iron deficient become anemic which has a variety of negative health implications. Only about 5 to 10 percent of iron comes from diet and the main concern with iron consumption is your ability to effectively absorb iron.
People often don’t understand how they’re iron deficient when they are getting proper amounts through their diet. This can happen because there are multiple factors that may influence your ability to absorb iron, and excessive blood loss resulting from blood donation, gastrointestinal lesions, and menstruation can all increase your chance of iron-related health issues.
Zinc
Iron and zinc often go hand in hand. They tend to be found in the same food sources and both play an important role in women’s health. Zinc is a micronutrient and has been reported to have antioxidant effects. If you become deficient in zinc, you may experience cellular damage and atherosclerosis. People with heart disease are often found to have low levels of zinc.
Magnesium
In order to stay healthy, it’s important to maintain normal cell and organ functioning, and magnesium plays an essential role in these processes. Magnesium is an essential electrolyte and is readily available in your body. It plays a role in maintaining homeostasis, proper brain functioning, and mood regulation. It’s fairly rare for adults to experience magnesium deficiencies but if you do not maintain a balanced diet, it’s possible.
For women, the amount of magnesium your body needs to function properly can increase if you have certain physiological conditions. Magnesium supplementation is often recommended for women who struggle with PCOS or premenstrual syndrome. Women experiencing pregnancy and menopause may also require supplementation.
Manganese
You’re probably aware of the fact that development and growth are lifelong processes for living organisms, including humans. Trace elements like manganese are essential to this process. Maintaining proper levels of manganese helps your body to properly metabolize amino acids, cholesterol, and carbohydrates which is very important when it comes to overall health.
Being deficient in manganese is pretty unlikely. On the flip side, excessive intake of it can be toxic, so while it’s fine to have trace amounts of it in a multivitamin, you don’t want to seek out supplements with high amounts of it, and it isn’t a must-have in a multivitamin.
Women’s Multivitamins
Now, women need a balance of nutrients just as men do for good health. But largely due to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and the stages of menopause, there are key nutrients for women’s health, such as:
- Calcium
- Folate/folic acid
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
Of course, this just scratches the surface of what all women’s multivitamins can offer. So without further delay, let’s hop into our top picks and get down into the details!
How We Picked and Tested the Best Multivitamins for Women
OK, how did we narrow our search with so many multis out there? We’ll let you in six of our selection secrets:
- Nutritional variety: Because every woman has unique dietary needs, variety was at the core of our picks. At a minimum, we offered supplements formulated for general, prenatal, and postmenopausal health.
- Nutrient quality: We enlisted products with high-quality and bioavailable nutrients, including vitamin D3 and chelated minerals.
- Added ingredients: If other ingredients are added beyond minerals and vitamins, we ensure their purpose is valid—like probiotics for gut health and DHA for fetal development. When possible, we avoid formulas with artificial colors, fillers, preservatives, and other unnecessary ingredients.
- Form: From tablets to gummies to mint-infused soft capsules, there’s sure to be a form you will enjoy (or at least tolerate) taking.
- Third-party testing: Finding third-party-tested products is at the top of our priority list, regardless if it’s searching for the best vegan protein powders, best muscle recovery supplements, and everything far and in between.
- Pricing: Every woman should have access to a multivitamin, so we rounded up options with varying prices without compromising quality.
GGR’s Supplement Testing Methodology
We make it a priority here to fully vet the products we feature on our pages. When it comes to dietary supplements, we have a strict supplement testing methodology we abide by to prioritize products that we have or would use ourselves, that are third-party tested, and that use scientifically backed ingredients and dosages.
Benefits of a Multivitamin for Women
Getting your daily nutrient needs from whole foods should take priority. However, some women may struggle to get all essential nutrients from diet alone; this is where a multivitamin comes in handy.
That said, the most significant benefit of a women’s multivitamin is that it helps conveniently fill in any nutritional gaps. Providing the body with adequate amounts of micronutrients supports:
- Reproductive health and pregnancy: A 2021 review published in Advances in Nutrition11 reiterates that various vitamins and minerals—such as folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium—are essential for supporting cis women’s reproductive health and healthy pregnancy.
- Strong bones: Research12 tells us that cis women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, and supplementing with bone-supporting nutrients—like calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium—can help build and maintain strong bones.
- Cognition and brain health: According to a 2020 review published in Nutrients13, various B vitamins and minerals—like thiamine, folate, zinc, and iron—are essential for supporting the structure and function of brain cells.
- Energy production: All B vitamins (besides folate) are involved in at least one step of the energy-production system, which allows calories to be used as energy. Vitamin C, iron, and magnesium are also key players in energy metabolism, and supplementing with these micros may combat physical fatigue.13
- Immune function: Along with protein sources that contain the amino acid glutamine, vitamins C and D, zinc, selenium, and iron are critical nutrients for immune support.
Really, the body uses all vitamins and minerals to keep things running smoothly. Women can experience good health and wellness when all nutrients are adequately available.
Who Should Take a Multivitamin?
Any female-identifying person with nutrient deficiencies should take a multivitamin to ensure they’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients needed for overall health. Additionally, anyone who menstruates should consider taking a multivitamin as some nutrients—notably iron—can be lost during the menstruation process. Athletes are another prime candidate, as studies have shown that athletes have a higher micronutrient need than the general population, according to research.
Who Should Avoid Multivitamins?
Anyone who’s already getting all of their micronutrients from a well-balanced diet should avoid multivitamins, as some vitamins and minerals can be harmful if taken in large quantities. Additionally, other medications may prevent you from taking a multivitamin. For example, people taking anti-clotting medications should know that Vitamin K could weaken their effectiveness.
Additionally, anyone who’s pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant should consult with a physician before taking a multivitamin.
Dosing and Interactions
Because every woman has a unique health story and the contents of multivitamins can vary greatly, it’s nearly impossible to formulate a universal dosing recommendation. But we can speak to some general dosing guidelines and interaction warnings, such as:
- Because water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins and vitamin C) are readily excreted and not easily stored in tissues, they tend not to cause issues even if taken in large amounts.
- Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) might cause severe issues if overconsumed because they can accumulate in the tissues.
- Taking certain forms of vitamin A in excess during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital disabilities in infants, while large amounts of vitamin A can increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and potentially former smokers.
- Iron toxicity14 is especially risky in children, although adults can also experience the harmful effects of too much iron.
- Vitamin K can interact with blood thinners and lower their effectiveness.
- Check with your doctor about possible interactions from certain ingredients, especially if taking medication. For instance, CoQ10 may decrease warfarin’s anticoagulant (blood clotting) effect.
We can’t overemphasize enough that contacting a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or another healthcare professional is essential before taking a multivitamin or dietary supplement.
Best Time To Take a Women’s Multivitamin
As it turns out, there’s actually not a specific time of the day that’s best for taking a multivitamin. Manufacturers and researchers generally suggest taking it with the largest meal of your day because a lot of the nutrients found in these supplements are fat-soluble, meaning they need a fat source (such as dairy or olive oil) to be absorbed by the body. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you take it in the daytime or nighttime.
Third-Party Testing
While the FDA does not tightly regulate dietary supplements, it does establish Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) standards for quality assurance. Companies can voluntarily have their products undergo third-party testing to verify their purity and overall safety. Reputable, third-party testing stamps to look out for include:
- Informed-Sport
- National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
- NSF Certified for Sport
- US Pharmacopeia (USP) Verification
Products can also be certified to help consumers make well-informed decisions related to specific dietary restrictions and preferences, like being Certified Gluten-Free or USDA Organic. When you doubt third-party testing and other certifications of interest, you could always contact the company for more information or select another trusted product.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Women’s Multivitamin
There truly is a lot to consider when looking for a women’s multivitamin, although using these tips can help navigate your search:
- Lifestage and health needs: Nutritional needs vary depending on your age and life stage; some multivitamins are tailored to match, including those formulated for pregnant people and older adults.
- Health conditions and medications: Health conditions and medications can significantly influence what to look for in a multivitamin. For instance, a multivitamin with iron might be best for you if you are deficient in iron, while a multivitamin formulated with additional herbs can interact with some medications.
- Nutrient amounts: While nutrient amounts that align with the cis women’s RDAs are mostly safe, you should approach high-dose multivitamins cautiously unless advised by your healthcare team.
- Dietary restrictions and preferences: Choose a product that factors your dietary restrictions and preferences, such as being gluten-free, vegan, or organic.
- Intake form: Do you prefer pills, capsules, gummies, or powders? Try to select a multi that matches this preference so you’ll be more likely to adhere to taking it.
- Budget: Evaluate how much you’re willing to spend taking a multivitamin consistently.
- Third-party testing: Prioritize third-party products tested by reputable organizations such as USP and NSF International.
FAQs About Multivitamins for Women
Do doctors recommend multivitamins for women?
While all people (regardless of gender) should aim to get nutrients from a whole foods-based and balanced diet, a multivitamin may be a good solution to fill any nutritional gaps. It’s wise to consult with a healthcare provider before starting a multivitamin, especially if it provides high doses of certain nutrients.
Should women take a multivitamin every day?
Taking a multivitamin it a good way to fill in any nutritional gaps. Some nutrients—such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D—may be included in the multivitamin and are all essential for maintaining good health in women.
What main vitamins should a woman take daily?
While there’s no universal guidance, as every woman’s nutritional needs will vary, there are key nutrients cis women should pay extra attention to, such as folate/folic acid, iron, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.
What is the best time to take a multivitamin?
Ideally, multivitamins (especially those containing iron) are taken with a meal. Because many multivitamins contain B vitamins, which are known to boost energy and stimulate the brain, it’s often suggested to take them with breakfast in the morning.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
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