International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences

The time when a woman's menstrual cycle becomes irregular and is associated with a higher risk of developing depressive symptoms is referred to as the perimenopausal phase. It is a natural process caused when ovaries gradually stop working. Symptoms are caused by the changing levels of hormones in the body.

Climacteric is the phase of waning ovaries activity, and may begin 2-3 years before menopause and continue for 2-5 years after it. The climacteric is thus a phase of adjustment between the active and inactive ovarian function and occupies several years of a women’s life and involves physical, sexual and psychological adjustments.