Electric shock sensations during menopause

 

During menopause, many women experience a sudden sharp but short coursing of electricity through the body, similar to an electric shock. It can be a highly uncomfortable feeling and painful, too, depending upon the intensity of the electric shocks being felt. Like many other symptoms being experienced during menopause, this is one such symptom that is caused due to the drastic hormonal changes the body is going through. It may precede hot flashes.

 

Electric shock sensations during menopause are often associated with a phenomenon called "menopausal paresthesia" or "menopause-related paresthesia." Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or electric shock-like feelings on the skin. During menopause, hormonal changes can affect the nervous system, leading to these sensations.

 

One common type of electric shock sensation experienced during menopause is often referred to as "menopausal zaps" or "menopausal shocks." These sensations typically manifest as sudden, brief jolts or bursts of electrical-like sensations, often felt in the head, neck, or limbs. They can be startling and uncomfortable but are usually harmless.

 

How are electric shocks caused?

 

The exact cause of these electric shock sensations during menopause isn't fully understood, but hormonal fluctuations, particularly decreases in estrogen levels, are believed to play a significant role. Estrogen is known to have effects on the nervous system, and its decline during menopause can affect nerve function, leading to sensations like electric shocks.

 

Electric shock sensations during menopause can occur for several reasons, primarily related to hormonal changes and alterations in the nervous system. Here's a breakdown of some of the factors contributing to these sensations:

1. Hormonal Fluctuations: During menopause, there is a significant decline in the production of estrogen and progesterone, two key female hormones. These hormonal changes can affect the nervous system, including the way nerves transmit signals. Estrogen, in particular, has effects on nerve function, and its decline can lead to changes in nerve sensitivity and excitability, potentially causing sensations like electric shocks.
2. Nervous System Changes: The nervous system undergoes alterations during menopause, which can contribute to symptoms like electric shock sensations. Hormonal fluctuations can affect neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that facilitate communication between nerves. Changes in neurotransmitter levels and activity may lead to abnormal nerve sensations, including tingling, numbness, and electric shock-like feelings.
3. Peripheral Neuropathy: In some cases, electric shock sensations during menopause may be related to peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by damage to the peripheral nerves. While the exact cause of peripheral neuropathy during menopause is not always clear, factors such as hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies, metabolic conditions, and autoimmune diseases may play a role. Peripheral neuropathy can cause various abnormal sensations, including electric shock-like feelings, tingling, burning, and numbness.
4. Vasomotor Symptoms: Electric shock sensations may also be linked to vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, which are common during menopause. These symptoms result from fluctuations in hormone levels and can affect the nervous system, potentially leading to sensations like electric shocks.
5. Psychological Factors: Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression can exacerbate menopausal symptoms, including electric shock sensations. Chronic stress can affect the body's stress response system and contribute to alterations in nerve function and sensation.

 

How do women perceive electric shocks?

 

A jolt-like stab or sharp impulse may be felt in various parts of the body. Electric sensations may pass suddenly through various places on the head. It may feel like a ‘zap’ or surging impulse under the skin. The woman may feel as if rivers of electricity are running across the skin or a rubber-band has snapped in between the muscle and skin.

 

How to tackle electric shocks during menopause?

 

If you're experiencing these sensations frequently or if they're significantly impacting your quality of life, it's essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can help determine if there are any underlying issues contributing to the symptoms and recommend appropriate management strategies, which may include hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, or other interventions to alleviate the discomfort.

 

There are some general recommendations, which can be implemented:

1. Hormone Therapy: If the electric shock sensations are believed to be primarily related to hormonal changes, your healthcare provider may suggest hormone therapy (HT). This involves taking estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin to help balance hormone levels and alleviate symptoms. However, hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone, and its use depends on individual factors and medical history. It's essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.
2. Non-Hormonal Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants or antiepileptic drugs, may be prescribed to help manage symptoms of menopausal paresthesia, including electric shock sensations. These medications can help stabilize nerve function and reduce abnormal sensations. However, like hormone therapy, they may not be suitable for everyone and can have side effects.
3. Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle modifications can sometimes help alleviate symptoms. This may include:
• Stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.
• Regular exercise, which can help improve overall well-being and may reduce menopausal symptoms.
• Ensuring adequate sleep, as sleep disturbances can exacerbate menopausal symptoms.
• Avoiding triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, which may worsen symptoms for some individuals.
4. Get some sunlight: Natural sunlight is believed to be an excellent regulator of the nervous system. Apart from providing with the very much needed Vitamin D, sunlight will also soothe the nervous system helping you to alleviate electric shocks.
5. Water therapy: Different levels of water temperature can help in soothing the muscles that get affected due to the electric shocks. Start with massaging your hands and shoulders with a cool, wet towel, gradually increasing the temperature of the water being used. You may end this exercise with a long hot shower. Alternate hot and cold therapy may be used, where one hand may be dipped in a hot bath for 30 seconds with the other arm raised and then switch.  Such hot and cold therapy stimulates the nerves.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Hormonal changes during menopause can affect metabolism and lead to weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms, including electric shock sensations.
7. Topical Treatments: For women experiencing localized symptoms, such as electric shock sensations in specific areas of the body, topical treatments such as lidocaine creams or patches may provide temporary relief by numbing the affected area.
8. Herbal supplements and dietary changes:
• Increase Phytoestrogen Intake. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Consuming foods rich in phytoestrogens may help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including electric shock sensations. Sources of phytoestrogens include soy products (tofu, tempeh, soy milk), flaxseeds, sesame seeds, lentils, chickpeas, and whole grains.
• Include calcium and omega-3 in your diet. These nutrients help in the smooth functioning of the nervous system. Since electric shocks are caused due to an inefficiently working nervous system, including these nutrients in your diet will help improve its functioning.
• Magnesium. Magnesium plays a role in nerve function and muscle relaxation, and some women find that increasing their magnesium intake helps alleviate menopausal symptoms. Good food sources of magnesium include leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes, and dark chocolate.
• Saturated fats should be avoided. Saturated fats cause the deposition of fat in the body, thus slowing down the blood circulation. Keeping your vital limbs like the hands and legs free of such tingling sensations is important. Hence, to enable normal blood circulation, saturated fats should be avoided. Replace these with fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol intake. Alcohol tends to harm the nervous system, whereas caffeine can worsen the feeling of electric shocks as it causes muscle spasms and activates neurons. Electric shocks being associated with the nervous system, it is essential to keep your neurons in their best form by avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
• Hydration. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration can help maintain overall health and may alleviate symptoms of menopause, including electric shock sensations.

A combination of lifestyle changes and alternative therapies are known to have alleviated the symptom of electric shocks during menopause. However, not all women experience this symptom during menopause.