climacteric

(klī mak′tər ik, klī′mak ter′ik)

noun

a period in the life of a person when an important physiological change occurs; specif., the period of menopause
any crucial period

Origin: L climactericus < Gr klimaktērikos < klimaktēr, round of a ladder < klimax, ladder: see climax

adjective

of or resembling a climacteric; crucial

See climacteric in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A period of life characterized by physiological and psychic change that marks the end of the reproductive capacity of women and terminates with the completion of menopause.
b. A corresponding period sometimes occurring in men that may be marked by a reduction in sexual activity, although fertility is retained.
A critical period or year in a person's life when major changes in health or fortune are thought to take place.
A critical stage, period, or year: “before the end of the millennium, whether [he] lives to see that ecclesiastical climacteric or not” (Conor Cruise O'Brien).

adjective