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peri·men·o·pause -'men-ə-.pȯz, -'mēn- n the period around the onset of menopause that is often marked by various physical signs (as hot flashes and menstrual irregularity)
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n.
the period of time around the menopause in which marked changes in the menstrual cycle occur, usually accompanied by hot flushes, and in which no 12 consecutive months of amenorrhoea have yet occurred.
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peri·meno·pause (per″e-menґo-pawz) the time just before and after menopause; there are noticeable drops in estrogen levels for three to five years prior to menopause. perimenopausal adjMedical dictionary. 2011.