What condition does a tubo-ovarian abscess typically follow?

A tubo-ovarian abscess typically follows pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) due to the underlying inflammation and infection in the reproductive organs. PID can result from sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, which ascend from the cervix and uterus to involve the fallopian tubes and ovaries. As a consequence of this infection, an abscess may form when pus accumulates in the tissue surrounding the affected organs.

In contrast, conditions like endometriosis involve the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue and do not typically lead to infections that would cause tubo-ovarian abscesses. Postpartum hemorrhage refers to excessive bleeding following childbirth and is not associated with the infections that lead to abscess formation in the ovaries or tubes. Chorioamnionitis primarily involves infection of the chorion and amniotic fluid during pregnancy, which is unrelated to the development of tubo-ovarian abscesses. Thus, the most common precursor condition for a tubo-ovarian abscess is indeed pelvic inflammatory disease.