Compare supplements for women on what's in each daily dose, the form of each nutrient and the cost per day. Many products marketed for women contain the same nutrients as standard versions, so we judge them on the label, not the packaging.
Women's health · Multivitamins · Iron · Omega-3 · Prenatal & fertility · All vitamins & supplements
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Are women's supplements different from standard supplements?
Sometimes, but often the nutrients are the same and the differences are the amounts and the marketing. A women's multivitamin may contain more iron or folic acid than a standard one, or it may be very similar, so compare the amount of each nutrient per daily dose and the cost per day rather than the label on the front.
"We want customers to understand what they're taking rather than simply choosing the highest numbers on the label," says Andy Arshad, who runs SupplementHQ. You don't need a product marketed for women if a standard one contains what you need; our guide to reading a supplement label shows how to compare.
How much iron do women need?
The NHS says women aged 19 to 49 need 14.8mg of iron a day, and women aged 50 and over need 8.7mg a day, the same as men. It also says 17mg or less a day of iron supplements is unlikely to cause any harm, and that if your GP has advised a higher dose, you should keep taking it.
Add up the iron across everything you take, such as a multivitamin plus a separate iron supplement. Browse iron.
Should women take folic acid?
If you're trying to get pregnant, the NHS recommends 400 micrograms of folic acid every day from before you're pregnant until you're 12 weeks pregnant. It also says 1mg or less a day of folic acid supplements is unlikely to cause any harm, and that higher doses can mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
In pregnancy, the NHS also recommends a daily vitamin D supplement, and says not to take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol). Some women's multivitamins contain vitamin A, so check the label, and speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist before taking supplements if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication. Browse prenatal and fertility.
We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.