A year ago I had no idea what candida was. I was facing nearly monthly yeast infections, had a pestering canker sore that resurfaced about once a month, was struggling to lose weight and cut sugary cravings, wasn’t prioritizing self-care, was sleeping poorly and feeling pretty depressed and anxious.
Candida is a tricky thing, as it can show itself in SO MANY ways. It can cause both internal and external symptoms. For me, it was mainly through chronic yeast infections over 3+ years. (learn more about my story here.)
But the more I learned about it and the further I got into my own recovery, I began to realize how many other issues that candida was likely causing which I wasn’t even aware of.
Now that I’ve stopped the constant yeast infections, I also see a change in my sleep, my skin, my mental state and my energy levels.
So what exactly are the symptoms of candida overgrowth?
There are many, but here are some of the biggest:
Skin & nail fungal infections (toe fungus, athletes foot)
Recurring vaginal & oral (thrush) yeast infections
Skin irritation: eczema, rashes or hives
Feeling tired & drained, chronic fatigue
Digestive issues: bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas
Brain fog: difficulty concentrating, feeling unfocused, poor memory
Depression, anxiety & mood swings
Autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Weak immune system — someone who is “always sick”
Joint pain
Other signs can include:
Food sensitivities/allergies/intolerances, acid reflux, sinus infections, acne, low libido, water retention, inflammation, inability to lose weight, flu-like symptoms and more.
It’s more common than you think.
As you can see, many of these symptoms are things we all endure daily, though we may not have attributed them to candida overgrowth. I sure didn’t. I read somewhere recently that as many as 80% of people may have some level of candida overgrowth in their gut. That’s crazy!
Once I started to learn about and treat my candida issues, I noticed a number of other things fade away… my sleep became better, I was more focused, I began to take better care of myself and prioritize de-stressing activities like yoga again, I started to lose some weight, my canker sores disappeared, it felt like a fogginess around my brain had lifted, and most importantly, I got my life back after years of chronic, recurrent yeast infections.
The most important thing I’ve learned in my candida journey and through connecting with others on instagram, is that candida is much more common than we think. We are not alone – so many others are silently struggling, too. It’s time we all come together, share our stories and fight the stigmas associated with so many of these symptoms.
Do you experience these symptoms? Please feel free to share in the comments or send me a personal message.
As a disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am only speaking about my own experiences and research and am in no way offering medical advice. If you happen to have some of these symptoms it does NOT necessarily mean you have candida! Please consult your physician when starting any new diet or supplement.
Ready to start your candida cleanse? Check out my tips for surviving that first week.
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