You cannot prevent abnormal uterine bleeding, but you can manage it once it develops.

Women who experience chronic ovulation problems--failure to ovulate--can regulate their bleeding by continuing to take oral contraceptives. Regulating menstrual bleeding is extremely important in order to prevent uterine (endometrial) cancer.

Additionally, changing your diet, exercising and adopting a regular sleep pattern can all help with PMS and PMDD symptoms. Specifically, try:

• Changing your diet by reducing refined sugars, salt, nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, which can aggravate PMS symptoms

• Exercising at least 20 to 30 minutes three times a week

• Sleeping consistent hours and establishing a bedtime routine to help cue your body and mind for sleeping

• Keeping a premenstrual symptom checklist to be prepared for highs and lows

For PMDD, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, particularly a type called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be taken for as few as seven days each cycle to prevent disruptive symptoms.