Women showing signs of menopause before the age of 40 must be properly investigated by health professionals, says iTaukei women’s health specialist Dr Tema Rasoki-Windust.
The Australian-based Fijian doctor, who regularly returns to Fiji to offer outreach services and mentoring, says early menopause requires thorough clinical attention, especially when there is no clear cause.
“If women are experiencing symptoms of menopause before turning 40, they must be investigated,” she said.
“This is important, particularly in women who have not had their ovaries surgically removed, or where there is no clear iatrogenic cause, meaning an illness triggered by medical treatment.”
Dr Rasoki-Windust said premature menopause could affect long-term health outcomes, including increased risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and even stroke, if left undiagnosed and untreated.
She said awareness around this issue remained low in Fiji and the Pacific, where menopause often goes undiscussed.
“This is a natural stage of life, but when it occurs early, it’s not just a reproductive issue — it’s a whole-body issue.”
Dr Rasoki-Windust, who trained in obstetrics and gynaecology in Fiji and Australia, is part of a team of specialists that visits Fiji every three months to offer clinics, train local staff and improve access to women’s health care.
“We want women to know that what they are experiencing is valid, and that help is available.”
She stressed the need for medical practitioners to ask the right questions when treating women who report unexplained fatigue, irregular periods, or brain fog – symptoms easily mistaken for stress or depression.
“Being dismissed or told it’s ‘all in your head’ delays treatment that could be life-changing,” she said.