Hormonal imbalance: An imbalance of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Hormonal imbalance can also be a sign of early menopause (also known as perimenopause), which can lead to irregular or heavy periods.

Fibroids: Benign (noncancerous) growths in the smooth muscle tissue of the walls of the uterus, or womb. They can be as small as a pea or grow larger than a grapefruit. Pressure from fibroids may build with each menstrual cycle and cause heavy periods. Click here to learn more about fibroids.

Medication: Some drugs, such as anticoagulants (drugs that prevent the clotting of blood) or anti-inflammatory medications, can cause heavy or prolonged periods.

Infection or Disease: Heavy periods can also be a sign of more serious conditions like certain types of cancer or infections in the uterus