What Causes Early Periods?

This month, I had an early period... It started at around day 21 rather than day 28. I should mention that I just turned 41 years old last week. My early period seemed especially light and lasted only for four days rather than the usual 5-6. When I had intercourse with my husband on days 6, 7, and 8, I noticed some bright red blood when I used the bathroom afterwards. It was not enough to make a stain on the sheets, but it was enough to wipe and then it was gone... no further evidence on my panty liner. It is now day 15, and I am having some uterine cramping. It could indeed just be ovulation pain, but I generally feel that more with my ovaries rather than in the area of my uterus. I have a doctor s appointment scheduled for next Wednesday. It s the earliest that he could see me. I m slightly nervous, as a mid-wife friend of mine mentioned the possiblity of fibroids or other adhesions. I am the survivor of an almost life-ending ectopic pregnancy, so I greatly fear the thought of internal bleeding. I have had just one full term pregnancy (through IVF), and my husband had a vasectomy after I had the surprise ectopic pregnancy. I have had no other sexual partners. Any thoughts as to what might be going on?