Physician's Choice
Probiotics for Men: Do Men Need a Different Probiotic, and What to Look For
Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 8 sources
Probiotics for men are ordinary probiotics: live microorganisms meant to give a health benefit when taken in adequate amounts.2 The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) says there are no official recommendations for healthy people taking probiotics, men included.1 What sets one product apart is its strains, CFU count and extras. A dose of 1 billion to 10 billion CFU is common in probiotic supplements.2
Key points
- None of the NIH probiotic fact sheets we read recommends a different probiotic for men than for women.
- Effects depend on the strain: the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says that if one kind of Lactobacillus helps, another kind will not necessarily do the same.3
- A men’s formula may add extras: our Men’s Probiotic lists 200 mcg of selenium and 25 mg of hawthorn berry per capsule, and our 60 Billion Probiotic lists neither.6,7
Do men need a different probiotic?
No source we read says they do. ODS says there are no official recommendations for healthy people taking probiotics, and suggests asking a health care provider for advice on the product, the dose and the length of use.1 NCCIH points out that probiotic effects can differ from one type to the next, so the strain on the label matters more than the audience it names.3
NCCIH names Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium as the most common bacteria in probiotics.3 Our general and men’s formulas both list species from those groups; the Men’s Probiotic adds selenium and hawthorn berry.6,7
What is a good probiotic for men?
A good probiotic for men passes the same label checks as any probiotic. ODS points shoppers to the label for each microorganism’s genus, species and strain, the expiration or use-by date, storage instructions and the CFU count.1 Because the number of CFUs can decline over time, some experts recommend products that list the count through the use-by date rather than at the time of manufacture.1
For a men’s formula, also check the extras.
Is there a best probiotic for men?
No source we read names one. NCCIH says that in most cases researchers still do not know which probiotics are helpful, how much people would need to take or who would be most likely to benefit.3 ODS adds that a higher CFU count alone does not necessarily mean greater health benefits: the specific strains and the number of CFUs together decide what a product does, if anything.1
What is in a men’s probiotic? Our label, line by line
A men’s probiotic can hold the same kinds of bacteria as a general one, plus extras. One capsule of our Men’s Probiotic lists 70 billion CFUs from 8 species, a 50 mg prebiotic blend, 200 mcg of selenium and 25 mg of hawthorn berry.6 The table reads each line against a public source and does not rank the product.
| What the label lists | What that ingredient is | What a source says |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotic Blend, 202 mg. Total Probiotic Activity: 70 Billion CFUs | Live bacteria, counted in CFUs | ODS says CFUs count viable cells and that 1 billion to 10 billion per dose is common, with some products at 50 billion or more; a higher count is not necessarily more effective.2 |
| Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum | Eight bacteria, each named by genus and species. The label prints no strain code after any of them. | ODS lists Bifidobacterium, Bacillus and the family Lactobacillaceae (which includes species once grouped as Lactobacillus) among those common in probiotic products, and identifies a probiotic down to its strain designation.2 |
| Prebiotic Blend, 50 mg: organic acacia fiber, organic inulin (from Jerusalem artichoke) | Plant fibers, known as prebiotics | ODS defines prebiotics as complex carbohydrates, inulin among them, that serve as fuel for microbes in the gut.2 |
| Selenium (as a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), 200 mcg, 364% DV | Selenium, supplied as a yeast culture | ODS describes selenium as a nutrient the body needs and names selenium-enriched yeast among the forms used in supplements.4 |
| Hawthorne Berry, 25 mg (the label’s spelling) | The berry of the hawthorn plant | NCCIH describes hawthorn as a flowering shrub or tree of the rose family and lists “hawthorne” as one of its common names.5 |
| Directions: take one (1) capsule daily | From the Men’s Probiotic product page6 | ODS suggests asking your health care provider what dose to take and for how long.1 |
The label prints the 70 billion as one total for the blend. It does not give a count for each species or say whether the total is counted at manufacture or at expiration.6
Where Physician’s Choice fits
- Men’s Probiotic. One capsule a day lists 70 billion CFUs from 8 species, a 50 mg prebiotic blend, 200 mcg of selenium and 25 mg of hawthorn berry. Its box says no refrigeration is required. See the label.
- 60 Billion Probiotic. 60 billion CFU at expiration, across 10 strains identified by strain code. Daily support for your gut.‡ Its label lists no selenium and no herbs. Take 1 capsule daily, with or without food. See the label.
Every lot of every product is tested for purity and potency at ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs, the international standard for testing-lab competence.8 Our testing page explains how we test.
Who should check with a healthcare provider first
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are seriously ill, or have a weakened immune system, consult your healthcare provider before taking a probiotic or any other dietary supplement.
If you have known allergies, review the product’s ingredient list and allergen information and consult your healthcare provider before purchasing or using it. Most of our products are formulated without the top 9 common allergens, but ingredients vary by product.
Our Kids line includes a Kids Chewable Probiotic, Fiber Gummies, and a Probiotic + Fiber Powder. These are the only Physician’s Choice products we recommend for children under 18, and each should be used according to its labeled age range and directions. Always consult your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider before starting a new supplement routine.
Side effects
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, probiotics are generally well tolerated by healthy people, though they may cause mild digestive symptoms, such as gas. Probiotics may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly people who are seriously ill or have weakened immune systems. Talk with your healthcare provider before use. Our 60 Billion Probiotic and Digestive Enzymes contain inulin, and our Fiber Gummies contain chicory root fiber; gut bacteria break down fibers like these, which can cause gas. If bloating is persistent, severe, or feels different than usual, talk with your healthcare provider.
If you experience an adverse event, stop using the product and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Please also notify us at support@physicianschoice.com or 1-877-395-2707. NCCIH also says not to use a probiotic as a reason to put off seeing your health care provider about any health problem.3 More on our side effects page.
Questions men ask
What are probiotics for men?
They are ordinary probiotics sold for men: live microorganisms meant to give a health benefit in adequate amounts. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that no official recommendations exist for healthy people taking probiotics, so choose one by its strains, CFU count and extras.
Do men need a different probiotic than women?
None of the NIH probiotic fact sheets we read recommends one. NCCIH points out that probiotic effects can differ from one type to the next, so compare the strains on the label rather than the audience it names.
How many CFUs should a probiotic for men have?
There is no set number. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says doses of 1 billion to 10 billion CFU are common and some products hold 50 billion or more, and that a product with a higher count is not necessarily more effective.
How much selenium is in Men’s Probiotic?
200 mcg per capsule, which the label lists as 364% of the Daily Value, from a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements names selenium-enriched yeast among the forms of selenium used in supplements.
Is Men’s Probiotic third-party tested?
Every lot of every product is tested for purity and potency at ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs, the international standard for testing-lab competence.
The short version
No source we read says men need a different probiotic, and effects depend on the strain. Choose by strains, CFU count and extras: our Men’s Probiotic adds 200 mcg of selenium and 25 mg of hawthorn berry per capsule, and our 60 Billion Probiotic adds neither.
Sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Updated November 17, 2025.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 25, 2025.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated August 2019.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Updated June 18, 2025.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Hawthorn: Usefulness and Safety. Last updated April 2025.
- Physician’s Choice. Men’s Probiotic product page and Supplement Facts label.
- Physician’s Choice. 60 Billion Probiotic product page and Supplement Facts label.
- Physician’s Choice. Is Physician’s Choice third-party tested?
How this page was made
Sources fetched Oct 15, 2026. Label facts read from Physician’s Choice labels and product pages. Written by Physician’s Choice.
‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.