Although eating a balanced, healthy, and varied diet is the best way to meet nutritional needs, multivitamin/multimineral (MVM) supplements are often used by many women as they move through life.

However, there is limited evidence that MVM supplements offer significant health benefits.2 Some study results suggest potential adverse effects or benefits, while others have found none.2

There are a host of MVM supplements on the market for pregnant women, teen girls, those younger than 50, those older than 50, and women during menopause.

According to the US Office on Women’s Health, women who consume a balanced, healthy diet may not need MVM supplements, but there are 3 groups that could benefit4:
  • Postmenopausal women. After menopause, women lose bone density faster than men due to hormonal changes. Because many women do not get enough calcium and vitamin D from their diets, they may need supplements of these to help prevent osteoporosis. They may also need to take supplements with vitamin B-12.4
  • Vegetarians. Many people get some vitamins from animal products more easily than from plant sources, such as vitamin B-12, which is not found in plants. Vegans especially may not get enough vitamins B-2, B-12, and D from food alone.4
  • Those who are pregnant or could become pregnant. These women need folic acid to prevent certain birth defects.