5 years post menopausal. hot flashes have increased. frequent but only 30 sec long. also breast feel more tender. anxious are hormones fluctuating?

Menopause ?: True menopause involves complete cessation of estrogen production from the ovaries. Although "periods" may have stopped, estrogen is produced without ovulation by the ovaries, and when this ceases, "hot flashes" will occur as a reaction to low or absent estrogen. See your gyn for a serum FSH and estradiol level to confirm, and schedule a digital mammogram to be certain about breast tenderness.