ovulation, bleeding

  I am 39 years old and last Dec. had a miscarriage with bleeding that lasted 3 weeks.  My periods were regular every 21-26 days since then.  Now it is Dec. again and I started my period on the 1st - a bit brighter red than usual, lasted 4 days, no pieces of uterine lining that I could tell.  Now on the 16th I began another period again with the darker bleeding first, passing small shreds of uterine lining and the 2-3 days before this bleeding began I felt like I had PMS.  I am not pregnant.  So what is the scoop?  Part of the PMS symptoms are that I get heart palpitations/tachycardia, feel lightheaded, feel a lump sometimes in my throat, feel jittery, and overall just don't always feel like my "old", energetic self.  Could all this be signs of premenopause? Am I having ovulation bleeding?  Is what I am experiencing dangerous - like some dread disease?  Please respond.  I would still like another pregnancy if it is possible.  Thank you in advance for your reply.    
Dear Mary:
Ovulation bleeding happens without other symptoms of a menstrual flow. The diagnosis is made by association with ovulation as documented by basal body temperature record or urine ovulation detection kit. The bleeding is pink to red; light; 1 or 2 days in duration.
Bleeding episodes at 2 week intervals suggest lack of ovulation. This can also occur with irritation to the cervix, polyps in the cervix or the uterus. These issues are addressed by clinical examination, perhaps combined with ultrasound image of the pelvic organs.
PMS is a collection of symptoms that occur consistently before the menstrual flow and go completely away following menstruation. The symptoms can be blocked by abolishing the menstrual cycle (not a good choice if pregnancy is the goal) or they are treated symptomatically.
Keywords: irregular bleeding; PMS
This information is intended for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.