Multivitamins for Women Explained: Exploring the Ingredients

As a woman, you have your own unique nutritional requirements, and this can also vary based on the stage of your life. This is why you likely shouldn’t be taking the same multivitamin as a man, and why we create personalized multivitamins for women.

But what is in a women’s multivitamin? Which ingredients should be included? Should you take a gummy, capsule, or tablet? What is the best multivitamin for women over 50?

Keep reading for the answers including information about our Nature Made® women’s multivitamin offerings.

Quick Health Scoop

• It is estimated that over two-thirds of non-pregnant women of childbearing age worldwide have at least one nutrient deficiency.[1]
• Because most of us don’t eat a nutritious diet every day, a multivitamin can help fill in these nutrient gaps.
• Women have their own unique nutrition needs for nutrients such as Iron, Folate, Vitamin D, and Calcium.
• A women-specific multivitamin may be especially important in specific life stages such as pregnancy or during menopause.

Why Take a Multivitamin for Women?

If you’re like most people and are struggling to eat a nutritious diet every day, a good multivitamin for women can help you fill in some nutrient gaps. If you’ve been taking a general multivitamin, you may be wondering what is in a multivitamin for women that makes them different from other options? There are three key reasons to consider a women’s multivitamin.

Women’s health is more complex

This is primarily due to the changes that occur in a woman’s body during the childbearing years and then during menopause. These changes in metabolism, hormones, and the body as a whole require specific nutrients that may differ from men.[2]

For example, women require more Iron and Folate during pregnancy, or more Calcium after age 50 to optimize bone health ^†

They support you in feeling your best

It’s not easy being a woman in this day and age - the daily demands of work, taking care of kids or elderly family members, cooking, and managing a household can drain your energy big time.

A women-specific multivitamin provides essential vitamins and minerals that support you in feeling your absolute best - inside and out. ^†

Help support your health

Taking a women’s multivitamin provides added assurance you are supporting your health in the best way possible. Nutrition and health are intricately linked, and thus by optimizing your nutrition you are doing your health a favor.

Learn more about what women’s nutrition needs: What Vitamins Should Women Take Daily?

Women’s Multivitamin Ingredients To Look For

When shopping for multivitamins for women, it can feel overwhelming. With so many options, how do you know what to look for on the nutrition label?

Here are a few key ingredients to search for to know you’re getting the best women’s multivitamin.

Iron

This essential mineral is paramount to women’s health. It is involved in red blood cell formation and is an essential nutrient for women in their reproductive years.^†

In addition, the more absorbable form of Iron, called Heme Iron, is only found in animal products. So if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it may be harder to meet your Iron needs through diet alone.[3]

If you’re not taking a separate Iron supplement, look for a women’s multivitamin with Iron.

Folate

Folate is a type of B vitamin and another essential nutrient to look for in a women’s multivitamin.

It is most known for its critical role during pregnancy in the proper development of the baby’s nervous system. It is thus an important vitamin for women of childbearing age and pregnant women. Adequate folic acid in healthful diets may reduce a woman's risk of having a child with a neural tube defect.^†

It also helps convert nutrients from food into cellular energy in the body.[4]

Look for “Folate” or “Folic acid,” its synthetic counterpart, on the nutrition label.

Learn more: Folic Acid Benefits: What is it Used For?

Calcium

Adequate Calcium throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.[5]

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for women, largely because of its benefits for bone health.. ^† [6]

It is thus essential to look for Calcium listed on your multivitamin label. Consider adding an additional Calcium supplement to ensure you are able to get your daily amount.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports bone, teeth, muscle, and immune health. It also helps improve calcium absorption to support bone health.[7]^†

Getting enough Vitamin D throughout your life supports bone, teeth, muscle and immune health.^†

Omega-3 Fats

The heart-healthy Omega-3’s DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) help support a healthy heart in women. They are often derived from fish oil or plant-based algae.[9]^†

Especially if you aren’t a fish eater consuming certain fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, etc.), supplementing with a multivitamin containing Omega-3’s can help support heart health.^†

Consider adding an additional Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement to ensure you are able to get your daily amount.

Standard Multivitamin vs. Multivitamin + Omega-3’s

Nature Made® offers a women’s multivitamin both with and without Omega-3 fats. The best option for you will be based on your medical history and unique needs.

It’s recommended to speak to your doctor to determine whether you need Omega-3’s added to your multivitamin, a higher dose of a single Omega-3 supplement, or something in between.

Learn more: Vitamins for Women Over 50

Forms of Women’s Multivitamins

Here at Nature Made®, we offer women’s multivitamins in three convenient forms based on your preference.

Tablets

Tablets are a convenient form of multivitamin . If you don’t mind swallowing tablets, this may be a good, cost effective option for you.

Softgels

Softgels are another convenient supplement form and are a bit easier to swallow. They are more flexible and thus go down more easily than tablets.

Gummies

If taste is your primary concern, gummies may be your best bet. Our Nature Made® Multivitamin for Her Gummies are a  delicious option - and contains three grams of added sugar per two-gummy serving.

The Bottom Line

Pairing a nutritious diet with the best multivitamin for women can help you meet your health goals. Your health needs as a woman are truly unique, and thus choosing a multivitamin designed for women can help you feel your best.

When searching for a women’s multivitamin, always look for key nutrients on the label such as Folate, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

At Nature Made® we offer a variety of women’s multivitamins for all stages of life, which provide many  key nutrients in convenient tablets, softgels, and gummy forms.

While women’s nutritional requirements are surely unique, remember that your needs as an individual should be even more personalized. The stage of life you are in, your medical status, and your diet habits all influence the most optimal supplement regimen for you.

As such, always speak to your doctor to discuss your individual needs and determine which supplements are best for you.

Learn more about multivitamins and nutrition for women:

• What are multivitamins and how do they work?
• A focus on female health and nutrition
• How to choose a multivitamin that’s right for you

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Stevens, G. A., Beal, T., Mbuya, M. N., Luo, H., Neufeld, L. M., Addo, O. Y., Adu-Afarwuah, S., Alayón, S., Bhutta, Z., Brown, K. H., Jefferds, M. E., Engle-Stone, R., Fawzi, W., Hess, S. Y., Johnston, R., Katz, J., Krasevec, J., McDonald, C. M., Mei, Z., … Young, M. F. (2022). Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and Women of Reproductive Age Worldwide: A pooled analysis of individual-level data from population-representative surveys. The Lancet Global Health, 10(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00367-9
2. Feskens, E.J.M., Bailey, R., Bhutta, Z. et al. Women’s health: optimal nutrition throughout the lifecycle. Eur J Nutr 61 (Suppl 1), 1–23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-022-02915-x
3. Pawlak R, Berger J, Hines I. Iron Status of Vegetarian Adults: A Review of Literature. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016 Dec 16;12(6):486-498. doi: 10.1177/1559827616682933. PMID: 30783404; PMCID: PMC6367879.
4. Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228. PMID: 31963141; PMCID: PMC7019700.
5. Warensjö E, Byberg L, Melhus H, Gedeborg R, Mallmin H, Wolk A, Michaëlsson K. Dietary calcium intake and risk of fracture and osteoporosis: prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ. 2011 May 24;342:d1473. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d1473. PMID: 21610048; PMCID: PMC3101331. 
6. Noirrit-Esclassan, E., Valera, M. C., Tremollieres, F., Arnal, J. F., Lenfant, F., Fontaine, C., & Vinel, A. (2021). Critical Role of Estrogens on Bone Homeostasis in Both Male and Female: From Physiology to Medical Implications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), 1568. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041568
7. Christakos S, Dhawan P, Porta A, Mady LJ, Seth T. Vitamin D and intestinal calcium absorption. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2011 Dec 5;347(1-2):25-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.038. Epub 2011 Jun 1. PMID: 21664413; PMCID: PMC3405161.
8. Bohon TM, Goolsby MA. The Role of Vitamin D Supplements in Women's Health. Clin Med Insights Womens Health. 2013 Oct 20;6:67-70. doi: 10.4137/CMWH.S11067. PMID: 24665216; PMCID: PMC3941188.
9. Innes JK, Calder PC. Marine Omega-3 (N-3) Fatty Acids for Cardiovascular Health: An Update for 2020. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Feb 18;21(4):1362. doi: 10.3390/ijms21041362. PMID: 32085487; PMCID: PMC7072971.