Yeast Overgrowth: Could Candida Be Running the Show in Your Gut?

“Having candida” is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot — often without much context. Here’s the truth: candida albicans is a normal and necessary part of your gut flora. It should always be there… just quietly minding its own business in small amounts.

Problems begin when yeast overgrowth takes hold.

When candida starts to multiply unchecked, it can irritate and damage the gut lining, contribute to leaky gut, and place a huge burden on the immune system. From there, symptoms can pop up all over the body — often in places you’d never think to connect back to the gut.

Let’s break it down 👇

Common Yeast Overgrowth Symptoms

Normally, your friendly gut bacteria keep candida under control. But when that balance is disrupted, you may notice some (or many!) of the following yeast overgrowth symptoms:

• Ongoing exhaustion

• Sugar cravings

• Cravings for yeasty foods (bread, alcohol, pastries)

• Brain fog

• Recurrent UTIs

• Sinusitis or post-nasal drip

• Allergies or heightened sensitivities

• Gas and bloating

• Low immunity

• Thrush and other fungal skin issues (e.g. athlete’s foot, itchy patches)

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone — these symptoms are incredibly common.

What Causes Yeast Overgrowth?

Candida doesn’t usually overgrow for no reason. Common triggers include:

• A course of broad-spectrum antibiotics

• Long-term or repeated antibiotic use

• The contraceptive pill

• A high-sugar diet

• Chronic or prolonged stress

• Diabetes

• Corticosteroid medications

• Regular or heavy alcohol intake

Any one of these can tip the balance — and several together are often the perfect storm.

Let’s Look at the Symptoms More Closely

1. Feeling tired all the time

If you’re exhausted despite sleeping well, yeast overgrowth could be part of the picture. Candida is a known contributor to chronic fatigue, though it’s rarely the only factor.

2. Low mood, anxiety or irritability

Yeast overgrowth can influence neurotransmitters and hormones, leading to anxiety, low mood, mood swings — and it can significantly worsen PMT or menopause symptoms.

3 & 4. Recurring UTIs or sinus infections

Surprising but true — persistent UTIs, sinusitis, congestion, hay fever or post-nasal drip are often linked back to candida overgrowth.

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5. Digestive issues

Bloating, cramps, diarrhoea, constipation… many people labelled with “IBS” later discover yeast overgrowth was the underlying cause all along.

6. Brain fog

That cotton-wool-in-the-head feeling? Poor concentration, memory lapses, lack of focus? One of the most common yeast overgrowth symptoms — and one of the most frustrating.

8. Sensitivity to smells and fumes

Perfume, cigarette smoke, cleaning products — suddenly intolerable. This can happen when candida toxins overload the liver.

Could Yeast Overgrowth Be Affecting You?

If this blog has you thinking “this sounds uncomfortably familiar”, you’re probably right to trust that instinct.

If you’d like to explore yeast overgrowth symptoms, testing options or treatment approaches, you can book a FREE 30‑minute Happy Gut Breakthrough Session – please use the link, below, to book in.  

✨ I can’t wait to talk to you and see how I can help.