It is Candida species that causes yeast infections, or candidiasis. There are more than 100 naturally occurring species, but only 24 of them are recognized as true causes of yeast infection. The most abundant species is Candida albicas, then Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis.

For people in good health, the intestines are protected from the growth of Candida by the positive gastrointestinal bacterial flora. Candida is usually kept to a minimum when the natural equilibrium between Candida and the gastrointestinal bacterial flora is maintained. When this balance is destroyed, Candida species can reproduce rapidly and bring on multiple symptoms of candidiasis. Oddly enough, the main cause of yeast infection is not therefore simply yeast organisms, even though these are usually present in small amounts in most areas of the human body.

Several internal considerations, several external items and their interacting relationship create a candidiasis environment. Yeast infection, like many other health diseases that recur, is the product of multiple factors.

Genetic traits (which are uncontrollable) and lifestyle and psychological factors can make for Candida overgrowth, also boosted by contributions from internal factors provoking yeast growth. Internal causes of yeast infection include:

1. Deficiency in friendly probiotic bacteria.

2. Weakened immunity.

3. Inferior diet choices: sugary products, white flour products, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol and other yeast encouraging foods.

Several more external factors and situations also lead to candida multiplication with infection. The yeast infection environment comes about because of these factors and associated co-factors internally.

The main external vectors of candidiasis in women are:

1. Douching or using female hygiene sprays (female intimate area).

2. Wearing tight garments or clothes made from synthetic fibers.

3. The use of toilet paper that is perfumed or colored, deodorant tampons or sanitary towels, or bubble bath.

The main external vectors of oral thrush are:

1. Being treated with badly disinfected medical equipment destined for multiuse.

2. Wearing orthodontic appliances or dentures that have a bad fit.

3. Putting dirty objects into one's mouth (above all for babies)

The main external vectors of baby diaper rash are:

1. Skin remains in excessive contact with urine and feces because of diapers kept too long.

2. Allergy reactions due to the dye in training pants and disposable diapers, and also the effects of wipes, lotions and creams, etc.

3. Lipid-dissolving soaps that increase the permeability of the skin, making diaper dermatitis even riskier.

4. Folds in the skin due to obesity, with additional moisture and friction due to insufficient circulation of air.

The external vectors of candida balanitis are:

1. Intimate relations with a partner already subject to a yeast infection.

2. Using glycerine based lubricants or colored or perfumed soaps.

3. Not observing basic male personal hygiene.

The external vectors of paronychia (nail bed infections) are:

1. The nail plate can be lifted up off the nail bed after soaking hands in water for a long time. This means that bacteria and yeasts easily penetrate and multiply in the space under the nail.

2. Use of clothing and shoes where air does not circulate.

Alternative holistic medicine considers the body as a whole with the aim of establishing an internal balance, to reinforce the immune system and improve mental strength. Because medicine in developed countries only deals with the manifestation of candida in the areas that are infected, conventional yeast infection treatments are short term measures. External vectors of candidiasis are well described, but the basic contributing factors are less so. The holistic program, addressing both internal and external contributing aspects, eliminates the fundamental causes of yeast infection, with specific supplements of herbs and vitamins, and following a full group of dietary rules and protocols to master Candida and thus the group of incommoding symptoms and its recurrence.