Menstrual Health in Adolescents
Date of Presentation: May 13, 2026
Type: Past Presentation
Audience: Clinical
Program: Adolescent Health
Keywords: #adolescent #amenorrhea #bleed #menstrual #ovary #pcos #traditional #uterine
In this presentation, Dr. Angelino and Dr. Kelliher identify common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents, including primary and secondary amenorrhea. They also review a structured approach to the evaluation and workup of menstrual disorders, including bleeding disorders, discuss how to recognize polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presentation and disparities in AI/AN adolescents, and examine culturally grounded approaches to menstrual health management, including integrating traditional healing practices alongside Western medicine.
Recording:
Presented by:
Allison Kelliher
Allison Kelliher, MD, is an enrolled Tribal Member of Nome Eskimo Community. She is Koyukon Athabascan, Dene, from Nome, Alaska and is the first and only physician trained as a Traditional Healer in a Tribal Health setting and weaves this into her practice and research as a Family and Integrative Physician. She is the director for Indigenous Healing at Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks Alaska. With experience as a Research Associate co-appointed to the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Indigenous Health. She is the founder and former director of the American Indian Collaborative Research Network (AICoRN), a Practice-Based Research Network at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences where she is continues as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Indigenous Health. She is also clinical faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Allison is experienced in biomedical research and is trained in neuroscience, with special interests in applied wellbeing including hands on healing such as osteopathic manipulation, botanical medicines and applied herbalism, behavioral health including traditional counseling, health equity and Indigenous Determinants of health including advocacy for planetary health. She has developed decolonizing medicine curriculum and was honored as the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alumnus of the year 2022 and recently published a chapter in the textbook Walking Together, Working Together: Engaging Wisdom for Indigenous Well-Being.
Alessandra Angelino, MD, MPH, FAAP
Faculty, Lead Faculty
Dr. Alessandra Angelino (she/her) is a board-certified pediatrician with fellowship training in adolescent medicine. She serves as Medical Director for the Adolescent Health ECHO, where she supports clinician education and capacity-building to improve adolescent and pediatric care across diverse settings.
She earned her degree in International Health from Georgetown University, her MD from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and an MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington. Dr. Angelino completed her pediatrics residency at the University of North Carolina and an Adolescent Medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. She currently works with the Indian Health Service as a physician contractor and is a lead clinical consultant with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
Dr. Angelino’s clinical and research interests focus on adolescent mental health, cultural connection, affirming care, and care for youth with chronic and complex conditions, including Long COVID, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and orthostatic intolerance (including POTS). She is engaged in community-based participatory research and national advocacy to improve access, visibility, and outcomes for Indigenous adolescents and young adults.
Resources Provided:
- Menstrual cycle in women who co-use marijuana and tobacco
- A Clinical Assessment of the Pharmacological Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Parent-Reported Functions of Cognition, Behavior, Sleep, Fatigue, and Executive Function in Children Aged 6-12 Years
- Berberine—A Promising Therapeutic Approach to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Infertile/Pregnant Women
- Menstrual Health in Adolescents (Presentation Slides)
- Menstrual Health & PCOS in Indigenous Adolescents (Policy Overview for Clinicians and Educators)
- Menstrual Health & PCOS in Indigenous Adolescents (Clinical Reference Guide)
- Menstrual Health History (EHR Dot Phrase / Clinical Template)
- Menstrual Health & PCOS Lab Order Set Ideas
- Endocrinologic Findings That Necessitate Referral
- Premature ovarian insufficiency in adolescents: an update
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process
- Menstrual Disorders
Date added: May 13, 2026



















































































