spotting in between periods for months, failed ivf, secondary infertility

[Sigoesperando]

Hi, apologies for this long post - just wondered if anyone has had spotting in between periods and it ever been diagnosed as anything?
I have been TTC with husband for 18months (we have 2 children conceived naturally) and I've been having this small bleed or spotting as it only happens when I wipe for about 9 months now.
I have had a hysteroscopy, biopsy, pelvic scan, transvaginal scan and they couldn't give me any explanation. my gp said it could just be hormonal.
Gynae consultant said it shouldn't interfere with ttc. later this year we found my husband's sperm count to be very very low (possibly due to varicocele which must have got worse as we have 2 children) he tried the healthy eating no alcohol for 3 months and the sperm analysis after that was just as bad.
At 39 and with an AMH of 1.2 we tried IVF through ICSI but was told I may only produce 3-5 eggs. all went well and I got 6mature eggs which all fertilised, 2 turned out good quality and they had me in for ET on day 3; that morning I had a small bleed after lots of scanning the consultant decided there was too much blood inside to put the embryos back in, I was devastated but he said he would freeze on day 5 or transfer if bleed had stopped. I had no more spotting. sadly the embryos didn't make it to day 5 and it's left me feeling so helpless and angry it happened that way.
we are looking for my husband to see a urologist about the varicocele, but I am wondering if this spotting I get could be affecting me falling pregnant? it has happened at random times in my cycle sometimes a week after period but sometimes just after mid cycle or a week before my next period.
I don't know who else I can see to find an answer as to why it is happening; the fertility doctor suggesting going on the pill for a few months to see if it stops and if it is hormonal so I have just gone on the pill, but I am wondering if anyone has experienced this and had any concrete answers? if it is hormonal what does it mean? my fsh was slightly high at 11 but the rest of my hormone levels were satisfactory.
also due to the cost of ivy we thought if husband can get varicocele op and it improves sperm we will try naturally, but are my chances a lot less than trying IVF again or as I had a good quality egg have we still got a chance? thank you in advance

With an FSH over 10 they should have taken it again at least three times across different parts of your cycle. The bleeding you describe could be either ovulation related or perimenopause but you do need more tests.

Thank you, If it’s ovulation bleeding would it not be at the same time every month?
Do you know what tests they could do? Thanks again
Anyone out there had similar I’d be grateful to hear

Have you had a cesearean section? I had mid-cycle spotting and it was caused by an isthmocele.

I had a caesarean with my first child 6 years ago but only had this bleeding 5 years after? Thank you

Ovulation isn’t always at the same time each month, it differs according to your cycle. However with that FSH score I’d put more money on perimenopause. You really need to talk to an infertility specialist and in the UK they are only available in the IVF clinics.

Ok thank you, so when u say perimenopause u mean u can get irregular bleeding?
we sought advice from the IVF consultant who did the ICSI and he was unsure but suggested I go on the pill to see if the bleeding stops and if it’s hormonal, so I’m taking the pill and will see but also wanted to find out if others have suffered this. Thank you

Perimenopause can cause irregular periods and spotting (it’s sometimes a sign of low progesterone).