I’d just gotten my period back after seven years of amenorrhea when I first experienced cramps in the middle of my cycle. I’d gone to a boxing fitness class and was whaling away on the battle ropes when I suddenly had to stop and catch my breath. Sure, battle ropes can be hellish, but it wasn’t fatigue that stopped me; it was period pain.

It was unusual because I’ve been lucky to live a fairly period cramp-free life. Even before amenorrhea, and still to this day, I get a dull belly ache at most. What was more unusual was the timing – my period had finished the week before.

Maybe it’s just me, but I thought we only had to suffer period pains around the time of our actual periods?