Early Miscarriage and HCG Level

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Because of my surgery, my doctor also did an internal ultrasound. They located the gestational sac but weren't able to see anything in it. Since I was estimated to be 5 weeks along, they decided to do two more blood tests to monitor my HCG level. The first test was 117 and two days later it was 111. I was told that things didn't look too good for a successful pregnancy.

Three days later (yesterday), I miscarried with what I would call a 'heavy period' with some large clots. Nothing extremely heavy but LOTS of cramping. Today, I'm back to normal with very little flow.

My questions are:

What causes the HCG level to be so low? Is it age, inability to produce the hormone? Do I need hormone replacement therapy?

Is it normal to only bleed heavy for 6 hours or so when miscarrying?

My follow-up appointment with my doctor isn't for four weeks. Since I was 'barely' pregnant (no embryo yet), why do I have to wait three months to try again and six weeks to have intercourse?

My husband and I are emotionally fine. We knew that we had high risks of ectopic pregnancy but this was in the uterus. Because of my cramping symptoms, we had prepared ourselves that something might be amiss early on. So, the miscarriage was not as big a shock as it might have been had things been like my earlier pregnancies.

Any insight that you can provide is much appreciated.

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