Shooting Star, I haven't had a period since 2002; I had hot flashes regularly for 5-8 years, mostly when I woke up in the AM and a few times a day. During this time, I also became more intolerant to heat and better with the cold. I still get an occasional one, when I get up in the morning. It's usually when I don't feel well or something else is out of kilter in my body. It's normal to last 10 years.