Menstrual pain. A woman's hands are seen holding her lower abdomen, while suffering painful cramps of the menstrual cycle. Lower abdominal and pelvic pain may occur before or during a menstrual period. This pain at the time of menstruation is known as dysmenorrhea. During menstruation, strong uterine contractions cause the menstrual discharge to be expelled. At ovulation, pain in the abdomen may also be felt when an egg is forcibly expelled from an ovary.