至今仍未完全清楚了解病因。可能的危险因素包括经阴道分娩、年龄增长以及体重指数增加。[7]Hunskaar S, Burgio K, Clark A, et al. Epidemiology of urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. In: Abrams P, Cardozo L, Khoury S, et al, eds. Incontinence: 3rd international consultation on incontinence. Paris, France: Health Publication Ltd; 2005:255-312.http://www.icsoffice.org/ASPNET_Membership/Membership/Publications/ICI_3/v1.pdf/chap5.pdf 经阴道分娩是盆腔脏器脱垂最常见的危险因素之一。有研究者提出这可能是由于阴部神经、结缔组织、肌肉在分娩过程中损伤所致。[8]Snooks SJ, Swash M, Mathers SE, et al. Effect of vaginal delivery on the pelvic floor: a 5-year follow-up. Br J Surg. 1990;77:1358-1360.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2276018?tool=bestpractice.com 既往盆腔手术、腹内压增加(例如肥胖和慢性便秘导致的长期压力增高)、结缔组织疾病和遗传学因素也都是危险因素。尽管绝经常被认为是盆腔脏器脱垂的危险因素之一,但研究者们尚未能找到雌激素水平和盆腔脏器脱垂的相关性。[5]Hendrix SL, Clark A, Nygaard I, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse in the Women's Health Initiative: gravity and gravidity. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186:1160-1166.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12066091?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Thakar R, Stanton S. Management of genital prolapse. BMJ. 2002;324:1258-1262.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12028982?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Hunskaar S, Burgio K, Clark A, et al. Epidemiology of urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. In: Abrams P, Cardozo L, Khoury S, et al, eds. Incontinence: 3rd international consultation on incontinence. Paris, France: Health Publication Ltd; 2005:255-312.http://www.icsoffice.org/ASPNET_Membership/Membership/Publications/ICI_3/v1.pdf/chap5.pdf[8]Snooks SJ, Swash M, Mathers SE, et al. Effect of vaginal delivery on the pelvic floor: a 5-year follow-up. Br J Surg. 1990;77:1358-1360.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2276018?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Mant J, Painter R, Vessey M. Epidemiology of genital prolapse: observations from the Oxford Family Planning Association Study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997;104:579-585.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9166201?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Lince SL, van Kempen LC, Vierhout ME, et al. A systematic review of clinical studies on hereditary factors in pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J. 2012;23:1327-1336.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448053/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22422218?tool=bestpractice.com
未生育过的女性也可以发生盆腔脏器脱垂:例如行子宫切除术后。尚不清楚遗传或家庭易感性。