b'Menopause isHaving its Moment Local experts work to share information to improve livesBY AMY LYNN-CRAMERPanelists at the Not Your Mothers Menopause NJ symposium. L to R: Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, Dr. Sharon Malone, Dr. Somi Javaid, Dr. Anna Barbieri, and Juli Auclair Lipof.I fyouspendtimearoundthe40s-to-50sThe information that is available can be con- based functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner crowdinourtowns,chancesareyouvefusing, and that was the impetus behind our sym- and certified holistic health coach who was a fea-heard a lot about menopause. From the re- posium, Kalsched says. We saw a void in ourtured speaker at the Not Your Mothers Menopause cent Not Your Mothers Menopause NJ sym- community for information and resources aboutNJsymposium.Theseverityanddurationof posium to conversations at sporting events,the menopause transition and engaged local, re- symptoms depend on a variety of factors, includ-birthday parties and even book clubs, its agional, and national experts to come together toing genetics, hormonal variability, lifestyle factors, hot (pun intended) topic thats becominghelp our neighbors in Maplewood and South Or- and access to quality healthcare.nearly impossible to ignore. ange forge a path through the information. O n e Beyondtheboomingmultimillion-dollarRecognizing the importance of continuing thismanwrote, health and wellness industry and the content ex- conversation, Matters Magazine spoke with a hand- Ithought plosion fueled by social media, high-profile celeb- ful of women who are currently going throughmenopause rities are stepping up to share their menopauseperimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.wasover journeys. By doing so, theyre breaking throughWealsopostedaGoogleformonMaplewoodoncemy barriers that once made the topic too taboo to dis- Moms and SOMa Advertising, Media, and Enter- wife stopped cuss amongst a mixed crowd.tainment Network Facebook pages to explore gapsgettingher Menopause, a subject that has been glossedincommunicationsurroundingthistopic.Theperiod. over in the medical establishment and in societygoal was to provide women with an opportunityThe best for years, is now receiving attention, research andto share their experiences and feelings, while pro- thing a hus-funding,saysAllisonKalsched,awomensfit- viding men with an anonymous and safe space toband can do ness specialist and one of the founders of Not Yourask questions to deepen their understanding. tosupport Mothers Menopause NJ, which held a symposiumJust as every woman is unique, so is her meno- hisspouseAllison Kalsched, a womens fitness specialist, is one of the founders of in January 2025 at the Maplewood Country Club. pausal journey, says Tara Roscioli, a Maplewood- is to educateNot Your Mothers Menopause NJ30/ matters magazine / winter 2025'