Women's Health Supplements: A Growing Focus

Women's nutritional needs change through life: during periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Supplements made for women have grown into a large market. Some, like folic acid before pregnancy, are backed by strong evidence. Others rely more on marketing. Knowing the difference helps women spend wisely and stay safe.

Anaemia: a global women's health problem

WHO estimates that anaemia affects about half a billion women aged 15 to 49 [1]. In 2019, 30% of non-pregnant women and 37% of pregnant women in this age group had anaemia [1]. Iron deficiency is the most common cause. Anaemia causes tiredness and weakness, and in pregnancy it raises the risk of low birth weight and other problems.

Progress has been slow. WHO reports that anaemia in women aged 15 to 49 was 30.7% in 2023, compared with 27.6% at the 2012 baseline. The world is not on track to meet the target of halving it [2].

Before and during pregnancy

Folic acid is the clearest example of a supplement that works. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, affect an estimated 3,000 pregnancies each year in the United States [3]. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that anyone who could become pregnant take 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily [3]. CDC notes the neural tube forms very early, often before a woman knows she is pregnant, so folic acid should be started before conception [4].

Prenatal vitamins usually combine folic acid, iron, iodine and vitamin D. Iron needs rise sharply in pregnancy. A doctor or midwife can check iron levels and advise on dose.

Menopause and bone health

After menopause, falling oestrogen speeds up bone loss. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements recommends 1,200 mg of calcium a day for women aged 51 and over, compared with 1,000 mg for younger adult women [5]. Food is the best source. Supplements can fill gaps, but taking more than needed can cause kidney stones and other problems [5]. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.

Many products also sell herbal remedies for hot flashes, such as black cohosh, red clover or soy isoflavones. Evidence for these is mixed, and some can interact with medicines.

Other common products

• Cranberry: sold to prevent urinary tract infections; evidence is mixed.
• Evening primrose oil: sold for breast pain and PMS; little good evidence.
• Probiotics for vaginal health: research is ongoing.
• Hair, skin and nail blends: often contain biotin, which can affect some lab test results.

Women in research

For many years, women were under-represented in clinical research. That left gaps in knowledge about doses, side effects and how conditions differ in women. More research now looks at women's health on its own terms, including menopause, endometriosis and pregnancy, which is driving new interest and products.

Safety tips

• Tell your doctor about all supplements, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Avoid very high doses of vitamin A in pregnancy.
• Do not take iron unless needed; too much can be harmful.
• Be careful with herbal products during pregnancy, as many have not been tested for safety.

Key numbers at a glance

• About half a billion women aged 15-49 have anaemia.
• 37% of pregnant women have anaemia.
• About 3,000 US pregnancies a year affected by neural tube defects.
• Folic acid: 400-800 mcg a day if you could become pregnant.
• Calcium: 1,200 mg a day for women 51+.

Go deeper

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Common myths

• "Every woman needs an iron supplement." Only women with low iron need one; a blood test can tell.
• "Natural means safe in pregnancy." Many herbs have never been tested in pregnancy.
• "A multivitamin covers everything." Many do not contain enough folic acid, iron or calcium for every life stage.

Reading the label

• Check the exact ingredient and dose, not just the brand name.
• Look for an independent quality seal, such as USP or NSF.
• Be wary of words like "clinically proven" without a named study.
• Check for a batch number and expiry date.
• Avoid "proprietary blends" that hide how much of each ingredient is inside.

In short

Start folic acid before pregnancy, check iron levels, and get enough calcium after menopause. Ask a doctor before adding anything else.

What this means

Some women's supplements are proven, especially folic acid and iron when needed. Others have weaker evidence. A check-up and blood test can show what a woman really needs at each life stage, and save money on products she does not.

Where to read more

All figures in this article come from public sources listed below. For more detail, start with the WHO anaemia fact sheet, the USPSTF folic acid recommendation and the NIH calcium fact sheet. Each is free to read online. If anything here raises a question about your own health, take this article to your doctor or pharmacist and talk it through together. Buyers, investors and policy makers can also use these sources to check claims in sales materials and compare options on the same public evidence. Where public sources disagree or update their figures, we note the year of each number so readers can see how the picture changes over time.

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Topics: Women's health · Nutrition · Maternal · Anemia

Sources

1. WHO fact sheet: Anaemia
2. WHO: Global nutrition targets 2030
3. US Preventive Services Task Force. Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: reaffirmation recommendation statement (JAMA, 2023)
4. CDC: Folic acid facts for clinicians
5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium fact sheet for consumers

Banner image: 2 women walking on shore by Tirachard Kumtanom, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.