Research

Cranberry extract for Bladder Health: Evidence, Interactions and Cautions

By Andreea · Last reviewed September 2026 · 2 min read

Cranberry extract is an ingredient used in bladder supplements marketed to women. Below is what it has actually been studied for, how strong that evidence is, the drug interactions and cautions on record, and the primary source our grade rests on — all drawn from the HerWellReport ingredient dataset.

HerWellReport Evidence Grademoderate

Studied forReducing repeat urinary tract infections in infection-prone women

Used inBladder supplements

Helps stress leaks?No

Helps hot flushes?No

Also sold as: Vaccinium macrocarpon; proanthocyanidins; PACs

What the evidence says about Cranberry extract

Systematic reviews of randomised trials support a modest reduction in repeat UTIs in women prone to them. Does not treat an active infection. No evidence for stress leaks or for overactive bladder without infection.

The grade "moderate" means: moderate — Randomised trials exist for this use but they are few, small, short or mixed. Grades are explained in full on our methodology page.

Read the primary source this grade rests on (opens in a new tab).

Cranberry extract drug interactions

warfarin

Who should be careful with Cranberry extract

Trials that found benefit used concentrated products, not juice drinks

Products we have researched that contain Cranberry extract

FemiCore — marketed for bladder urgency and irritation. 60-day money-back guarantee.

We have read the label and the research behind every ingredient. We have not tested the product and we publish no ratings. Full ingredient breakdown

Read our FemiCore review →

Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through a link on our review pages we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we say about an ingredient.