Question

Define the term climacteric.

Answer 1

The process of shedding of the uterine wall known as endometrium which is accompanied with bleeding is known as menstruation. In human females this process occurs every month throughout the women's reproductive cycle except in pregnancy.

Complete answer:
Menstruation is the process of shedding of the uterine wall of the uterus known as endometrium with blood loss. This process starts during puberty known as menarche which is the indication of onset of female reproductive cycle. And this process stops permanently which is known as menopause. Menarche starts during puberty at age from 12 to 15 and menopause occurs at the age from 45 to 50. Menstrual bleeding lasts from 3 to 7 days. On an average it lasts till 5 days. The menstrual cycle is regulated by a lot of hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Climacteric is the period starting from the decline in ovarian activity till the end of ovarian functions. This process includes premenopause, menopause and postmenopause. This shows the end of a woman's reproductive cycle.
Perimenopause is the first stage of menopause and it can start from eight to ten years before menopause.
Menopause can be defined as the stage where the female no longer has a menstrual cycle for at least 12 months.
Postmenopause is the stage of life which occurs after menopause.

Note:
The climacteric stage of fruit ripening is marked by a rise in ethylene production and cellular respiration. Climacteric fruits include apples, bananas, melons, apricots, and tomatoes, among others; citrus, grapes, and strawberries are not (i.e., they ripen without ethylene and respiration bursts). Non-climacteric melons and apricots, as well as grapes, and strawberries harbor several active ethylene receptors.