Lifestyle Advice

There are a few likely drivers working together rather than one single cause. Stress is a major contender especially if it was triggered from a bout of stress, acne after stress usually occurs from the stress triggering inflammation in skin that was already somewhat vulnerable beneath the surface. With PCOS in the mix, that underlying vulnerability becomes even more plausible. PCOS commonly influences oil activity, inflammation, and how well the skin can regulate itself, so flare-ups often appear “out of nowhere” even when the root cause has been brewing for a long time.

You’re currently taking sertraline, and while it’s not a guaranteed trigger for breakouts, some people do notice changes in their skin with SSRIs. This can be due to shifts in oil production, inflammation, or even interactions. It’s not something to stop or adjust without your GP, but it’s useful context for understanding your overall picture rather than blaming the skin itself.

With medications levothyroxine and fluconazole since your thyroidectomy in 2023. These medications can influence metabolism, skin cell turnover, hydration levels, and how quickly the skin repairs itself. They don’t necessarily cause acne, but they can affect the terrain your skin is working with.