light bleeding at ovulation time

I'm 43 years old, am perimenopausal with high FSH.  I have been TTC#1 and have been charting and using ovulation predictors for the past few months.  

This month was the first time that everything seemed to be working perfectly!  Usually I get pretty constant +opk's and therefor can't trust them, ovulate early (cd 9 or 10) or really late (cd 25).  This month I got - opk's until cd 13 at which time I got my first clear +, had a + again on cd 14, then a very clear - on cd 15 with a drop in temp.  On cd 16 I got the clear temp rise of 4 deg. so I'm sure I ovulated on cd 15, which is about as perfect as I can ask for.  

My question is that I began spotting on cd 13, again on cd 14, then heavier red (almost like a light period) on cd 15 and cd 16.  Everything else was so perfect!  What could cause this?  Is it normal and will it completely mean that I won't be able to conceive this cycle?  

Thank you for your response.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Usually spotting means either a low estrogen level, or a low progesterone level.  At this stage in your cycle, I would not expect you to have much progesterone, so it might mean that your estrogen levels are low.  That might actually be a good sign, as in most perimenopausal women, the estrogen levels are too high.
I would certainly not advise you not to "try" on this cycle, as anything can happen.
If you are really serious about trying to conceive, you might want to consider working with an RE.  There are some that specialize in working with "mature" clients.
Good luck!
Dr B