Research Interests:
Dr. Freeman is Research Professor and Co-Director of the Human Behavior and Reproduction Unit in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She directs the PMS research program, which focusses on identifying effective treatments and improved diagnostic criteria for the clinical disorder of PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The PMS program is funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health and other corporate sponsors and offers treatment in research protocols to eligible women. Current research activity in addition premenstrual syndrome studies includes mood and hormonal changes in perimenopausal women and effects of hormonal changes (progesterone, estrogen, DHEA, GNRHa) in women on mood and quality of life. Previous research includes attitudinal and behavioral factors in teenage pregnancy and contraceptive use and psychosocial factors in infertility treatment.

Recent Representative Publications:
Battistini M, Freeman EW, Grisso JA, Sammel M, Hollander L, Garcia-Espana B. (2002). “Racial Differences and Longitudinal Changes in Inhibin B in the Late Reproductive Years.” Fertil Steril 77(1): 193-195.

Freeman EW. (2002). “Treatment of Depression Associated with the Menstrual Cycle: Premenstrual Dysphoria, Postpartum Depression and the Perimenopause.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience: CNS Aspects of Reproductive Endocrinology 4(2): 177-191.

Freeman EW. (2002). “Evaluation of a Unique Oral Contraceptive (Yasmin) in the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.” Eur J Contraception and Rep Health Care 7: 27-34.

Freeman EW, Frye CA, Rickels K, Martin PAG, Smith SS. (2002). “Allopregnanolone Levels and Symptom Improvement in Severe Premenstrual Syndrome.” J Clin Psychopharmacol 22(5): 516-520.

Freeman EW, Stout AL, Endicott J, Spiers P. (2002). “Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome with a Carbohydrate-Rich Beverage.” Int J Gynecol Obstet 77: 253-254.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Liu L, Martin P. (2003). “Psychometric Properties of a Menopausal Symptom List.” Menopause 10(3): 258-265.

Sammel MD, Grisso JA, Freeman EW, Hollander L, Liu L, Liu S, Nelson EB, Battistini M. (2003). “Weight Gain Among Women in the Late Reproductive Years.” Fam Pract 20(4): 401-409.

Freeman EW, Sondheimer SJ, Rickels, Martin PG. (2004). “A Pilot Naturalistic Follow-Up of Extended Sertraline Treatment for Severe Premenstrual Syndrome.” J Clin Psychopharmacol, 24 (3): 351-353.

Freeman EW, Rickels K, Sondheimer SJ, Polansky M, Xiao S. (2004). “Continuous or Intermittent Dosing with Sertraline for Patients with Severe Premenstrual Syndrome or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.” Am J Psychiatry 161(2): 343-351.

Gracia CR, Sammel MD, Freeman E, Liu L, Hollander, Nelson DB. (2004). “Predictors of Decreased Libido in Women During the Late Reproductive Years.” Menopause 11(2): 144-150.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Rinaudo PJ, Sheng L. (2004). “Premenstrual Syndrome as a Predictor of Menopausal Symptoms”. Obstet Gynecol 103(5): 960-966.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Liu L, Gracia CR, Nelson DB, Hollander L. (2004). “Hormones and Menopausal Status as Predictors of Depression in Women in Transition to Menopause.” Arch Gen Psychiatry 6: 62-70.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Gracia CR, Kapoor S, Lin H, Liu L, Nelson DB. (2005). “Follicular Phase Hormone Levels and Menstrual Bleeding Status in the Approach to Menopause. “ Fertility and Sterility, 83 (2): 383-392.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Gracia CR, Kapoor S. Ferdousi T. (2005). “The Role of Anxiety and Hormonal Changes in Menopausal Hot Flashes.” Menopause 12 (3): 258-266.

Gracia CR, Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Nelson DB. (2005). “The Relationship Between Obesity and Race on Inhibin B During the Menopausal Transition. Menopause 12 (5): 559-566.

Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Nelson DB. (2006). “Associations of Hormones and Menopausal Status With Depressed Mood in Women With No History of Depression.” Arch Gen Psychiatry 63.

Freeman, E. W., and Sherif, K. (2007). Prevalence of hot flushes and night sweats around the world: a systematic review. Climacteric 10, 197-214.

Freeman, E. W., Gracia, C. R., Sammel, M. D., Lin, H., Lim, L. C., and Strauss, J. F., 3rd. (2007). Association of anti-mullerian hormone levels with obesity in late reproductive-age women. Fertil Steril 87, 101-6.

Gracia, C. R., Freeman, E. W., Sammel, M. D., Lin, H., and Mogul, M. (2007). Hormones and sexuality during transition to menopause. Obstet Gynecol 109, 831-40.

Trout, K. K., Rickels, M. R., Schutta, M. H., Petrova, M., Freeman, E. W., Tkacs, N. C., and Teff, K. L. (2007). Menstrual cycle effects on insulin sensitivity in women with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study. Diabetes Technol Ther 9, 176-82.