Are electric 'body zaps' normal in perimenopause and menopause

Today's Topic

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog on tremors and trembling and it was amazing how many of you got back to me and asked about electric shocks or body zaps, because it seemed a lot of you were experiencing these particular symptoms.

So, today I thought I would have a look at this subject, see what's causing these strange electric sensations, and what you can do to help yourself.

What does it feel like?

Some of you have said you find that you get that sudden electric shock before a hot flush, so it feels like you're being zapped by something.

And it can come from the breastbone upwards, but it can also come up the legs and the feet. This can be very odd, very disconcerting, especially if you're in the middle of doing something. It can cause problems with your concentration and it can also affect things like your grip.

Sometimes, it can then be accompanied by a sort of electric-like tingling that maybe takes a few minutes to slowly die down.

What can cause these electric ‘body zaps’?

So, the cause of this?

We think a lot of it has to do with falling oestrogen levels affecting the messaging in your nerves. As your nerves send the message from one area of the body to the other, this message can get interrupted, and then the nerve goes into a kind of spasm which causes this electric shock feeling.

It can also be due to stress and anxiety. In menopause, our nervous system becomes much more sensitive to everything that's going on. So, if you suddenly get stressed, you can get a rush of adrenaline, you might find that your heart is starting to really thump, and then you get this sudden whoosh of an electric shock as your nervous system responds.

It can also be due to poor sleep, and we know that in perimenopause and menopause, sleep is one of the main things that can be affected. So, if you're really tired, if you're also fatigued, then your nervous system can be impacted, and the nerves themselves are going to be less robust in helping to keep everything really calm for you.
It can also be a really common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency, which seems to occur in a lot of people just as they're approaching perimenopause and menopause.

It can also be a trapped nerve. So, it might not just be the nerves themselves overfiring, but if you've got a bad back, if you've got poor posture, if you're feeling a lot of stress and strain over the shoulders, then it may be more to do with an actual, physical trapped nerve in the spine. In the hands as well, it can also be something called carpal tunnel syndrome.

It can also be a symptom of prediabetes or diabetes itself. And we know, again, that there's quite a common link between falling oestrogen levels and the development of Type II diabetes.

What can help?

So, what do you need to do here?

If you're getting these zaps daily or if you're getting them very regularly, then it's important to double-check with your doctor, especially to rule out B12 deficiency and diabetes.

Keep your nervous system as strong and as robust as you can. So, it's about looking after yourself well with good food, and maybe supplements such as a vitamin B complex. This can be really helpful for calming the actual nerves themselves.

You could also try our Menopause Support which contains magnesium, as we know that magnesium is very good for helping to support a healthy nervous system.

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And try to improve your sleep if you can. And I know that's a really difficult one but the more tired you are, the more likely this is going to happen.

Exercise too, because if your circulation is slowing down then the nerves are not necessarily getting fed particularly well, especially in the hands and the feet; so, regular walking can be helpful. Even a 10-15 minute walk a day can make a huge difference; and remember the importance of rest and relaxation as well.

So, I hope you found this one helpful. If any of you have experienced this and have found something else that's really helped, then please share it with us.

And until then, I will see you next week for another edition of A.Vogel Talks Menopause

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