Causes of Candidiasis

Candidiasis is an overgrowth story: the yeast is already there, and something removes its brakes. Finding that something is half the treatment.

The common triggers

• Antibiotics: the classic trigger - they kill the friendly bacteria that keep Candida in check (thrush or vaginal candidiasis after an antibiotic course is textbook)
• Diabetes, especially uncontrolled: sugar-rich tissues and secretions feed yeast; recurrent candidiasis is sometimes the first sign of undiagnosed diabetes
• Weakened immunity: HIV, chemotherapy, transplant medicines, long steroid courses
• Steroid inhalers (asthma): oral thrush if the mouth is not rinsed after use
• Pregnancy: hormonal shifts make vaginal candidiasis common and recurrent
• Tight synthetic clothing, damp underwear, sweaty skin folds in hot humid weather: the moisture-and-warmth setup
• Poorly fitting dentures: thrush underneath the plate
• Iron deficiency and nutritional deficits: lower mucosal resistance
• Hormonal contraceptives (in some women) and recent illness

What does NOT cause it

It is not primarily "caught" from others - most candidiasis is your own flora overgrowing. Sexual transmission plays a minor role in vaginal candidiasis; partners usually do not need treatment unless symptomatic. It is also not caused by "dirty" habits alone - overzealous washing and douching actually disturb protective flora and worsen risk.