Experiencing electric shock sensations? It could be perimenopause

Hot flushes, night sweats and period changes are well-known symptoms of perimenopause – but many women are missing little known signs and suffering in silence.

Results from a survey by CanesMeno showed that lots of women aren’t aware they’re in perimenopause because they aren’t recognising the symptoms. They found that over 90% of women polled weren’t aware electric shock sensations, frozen shoulder, tinnitus and burning mouth were some of the signs of perimenopause. The survey also showed that over half of the women admitted they didn’t feel prepared for the life stage, and yet on average they were experiencing signs around a year before they realised they were going through it.

Dr. Anne Henderson, consultant gynaecologist and menopause specialist, says, ‘The menopause is a highly individual experience, yet far too many women still enter this stage of life feeling unprepared and unsupported. 

‘From physical symptoms like hot flushes to emotional and cognitive changes, the impact can be wide-ranging. It's vital that women have access to clear, credible and balanced information and feel empowered to not miss the signs and seek support should they need it. Education and open dialogue that helps women to make more informed decisions are key to changing the narrative around menopause.’

A recent study by Flo Health, the creator of female health app Flo, revealed that while nearly two-thirds of women aged 36-40 experience moderate to severe symptoms of perimenopause, only 8% of these women seek medical help, with most waiting until they’re in their mid-50s. Waiting decades to get help is unacceptable. A great place to start is awareness.

Dr Claire Phipps, GP and BMS Menopause specialist at London Gynaecology, says, ‘Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause, during which a woman's body undergoes hormonal changes that eventually result in the cessation of periods. This phase can last for several years and is characterised by a variety of symptoms, both physical and emotional.

‘Around 80% of women will experience some degree of symptoms, and whilst some will not be severe, 25% of women will have significant symptoms. There are many different symptoms, and no two women will experience the symptoms in the same way.’

Here are some signs that women might miss, that could be an indicator that it’s time to get some help.

Dizziness and light-headedness

‘Hormonal changes may alter blood pressure regulation and vascular tone, potentially causing brief episodes of dizziness or disequilibrium,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘Oestrogen is involved in maintaining vascular responsiveness, and its decline can lead to symptoms such as feeling faint upon standing or turning quickly. Persistent or concerning episodes should be investigated for other causes.’

Electric shocks

Menopause, intimate health and women's health specialist Dr Shirin Lakhani says: ‘Women going through menopause and perimenopause can experience a strange sensation that can at times be described as having ‘electric shocks’ throughout the body alongside nerve pain. It’s also been described as tingling in the limbs, pins and needles, sharp pains throughout the body or sharp pain in the head.

‘This is usually due to hormone changes that can have a direct effect on your nervous system. As your oestrogen fluctuates and begins to drop, messages between your nervous system and parts of your body may be misinterpreted which can result in this phenomenon.’

Metallic taste in the mouth (dysgeusia) and altered sense of smell

‘Oestrogen fluctuations can alter how we perceive taste and smell, leading to some women experiencing a strange metallic or bitter taste in the mouth,’ says Dr Nikki Ramskill, Doctify-rated GP and women’s health specialist. ‘Previously favoured smells may change to be less desirable, and food and drink tastes can change.’

Dry eye syndrome

‘Dry, gritty, or irritated eyes may occur due to reduced tear film production, influenced by changes in oestradiol and androgen levels,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘Menopause is often a 'drying condition'. Reproductive hormones help to support the function of the lacrimal and meibomian glands, which are essential for keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy. The lacrimal glands produce the watery part of your tears, helping to keep your eyes moist. The meibomian glands, located along your eyelids, produce an oily layer that stops your tears from evaporating too quickly.

‘When hormone levels drop during menopause, these glands may not work as well, leading to dry or irritated eyes. From a menopause perspective, it is not uncommon for some women to experience changes in their vision, which may necessitate an updated prescription for corrective lenses.’

Burning mouth syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a less talked-about but not completely uncommon symptom of menopause. Dr Lakhani says, ‘When going through menopause, some women can experience an uncomfortable sensation in the mouth, tongue or gums. It has been described as burning, tingling, scalding or numbness. It can also be paired with a loss of taste, a bitter taste in the mouth or a dry mouth.

‘This can happen to anyone for a myriad of reasons such as vitamin deficiencies or medication, but when it comes to menopause, it’s thought to be caused by a fluctuation in hormones, especially low oestrogen levels.’

Tinnitus

‘Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can emerge or intensify during perimenopause,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘Hormone receptors are present in the auditory pathway and inner ear, and changing levels of oestradiol may impact auditory processing. The condition can be worsened by anxiety or sleep disruption, both of which are common during this stage.’

Itchy skin

Dr Lakhani says, ‘As oestrogen levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, so do our collagen levels, which are essential in skin health. This is medically known as pruritus, which is actually reported to be the primary skin concern for women over 65.

‘The drop in oestrogen levels can also lead to dryness. This can also cause the skin to become itchy. Other symptoms such as night sweats can also cause the skin to itch.’

Heart palpitations

Dr Phipps says, ‘Some women experience the sensation of a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat. These palpitations are often linked to fluctuating levels of oestradiol and progesterone. Palpitations may occur alongside anxiety, hot flushes, or sleep disturbances. While often benign, persistent symptoms should be assessed to rule out causes not related to menopause.’

Hair changes

Dr Ramskill says, ‘Falling oestrogen and shifting androgens can change the texture and thickness of your hair and lashes. Some women find their hair becomes thinner or more brittle, while others notice surprising new curliness, frizz, or coarseness. Eyelashes may also become sparser or shorter and can even become curly too!’

UTIs

‘UTIs are most commonly caused by bacteria from faeces entering the urinary tract. Women are more prone to UTIs than men because the urethra is shorter which means bacteria is more likely to reach the bladder and cause an infection,’ says Dr Lakhani.

‘There is a definite link between UTIs and the menopause and perimenopause. As oestrogen production falls during the perimenopause and menopause, UTIs can happen more frequently. In postmenopausal women, UTIs often accompany the symptoms and signs of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

‘As the vaginal tissue thins, it becomes more prone to infection and some women also have more difficulty fully emptying their bladder, which also leads to infection. Some menopausal women experience chronic UTIs month after month.’

Cold flushes

Though hot flushes are widely recognised, cold flushes – episodes of sudden cold or chills –are less commonly discussed,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘These can follow a hot flush or occur independently. They are thought to result from dysfunction in the hypothalamus, the brain’s thermoregulatory centre, which becomes more reactive to changes in core body temperature due to hormone withdrawal.’

Shortness of breath

Dr Ramskill says, ‘Some women feel more breathless during exertion or even at rest, thought to be linked to anxiety, poor sleep, and cardiovascular changes during the transition. As with chest pain, shortness of breath should be investigated thoroughly first before blaming the perimenopause.

Clumsiness

‘During the menopause, women can find themselves as clumsy when they may never have been before. This is due to changes in the perception of depth of vision, which can affect your spatial awareness,’ says Dr Lakhani says.

‘Concentration can dip due to brain fog and fatigue during the menopause and your eyes can become drier due to hormone changes. This can lead to clumsiness and poor spatial awareness, even when you have not experienced anything similar before.’

Heartburn and reflux

‘Gastro-oesophageal reflux, often experienced as heartburn, may become more prominent during menopause,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘Lower levels of oestrogen and progesterone can reduce the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to travel back up the oesophagus. Increased stress levels – common in this life stage – may further contribute by raising cortisol, which affects digestion. Management may include dietary modification, stress reduction, lifestyle changes, medications to provide symptom relief, and HRT where appropriate.’

Restless legs

‘Some women notice a creepy-crawly, irresistible urge to move their legs at night, which can be made worse by hormonal and sleep disturbances,’ says Dr Ramskill. ‘It could also be a sign to get your iron levels checked too.’

Tooth loss

Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and Dental Therapist at TePe says, ‘Previous studies have suggested more than one in four (28%) post-menopausal women are likely to suffer from tooth loss within five years. During the perimenopause and menopause, the decrease in oestrogen and progesterone levels in the body can make gums more sensitive and reduce the production of saliva from the salivary glands, triggering symptoms such as dry mouth.  

‘Saliva helps to cleanse the mouth from bacteria thereby preventing plaque from building up on and around the teeth. With less saliva, the teeth become more vulnerable to cavities, and the soft tissues in your mouth become sensitive and susceptible to infection. As well as being uncomfortable, dryness can make your mouth more vulnerable to infection. 

‘During menopause, gums may change in colour, becoming paler or turning a deeper shade of red. Some women may also notice their gums bleed, especially whilst brushing their teeth, or that their gums are receding. 

‘It is important to treat gum disease as it can lead to periodontitis which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Unfortunately, evidence is starting to point to periodontitis being linked to other systemic conditions. For instance, poor oral hygiene and gum disease have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and heart failure.  

‘To maintain optimal oral health, it is recommended to visit your dentist at least every six months for an examination.

What should an effective daily oral health routine include? 

• Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.  
• Clean between the gaps in your teeth at least once a day. Traditional toothbrushing cleans only up to 60%of the tooth surfaces: the top, front and back. However, most dental disease starts between your teeth where food and plaque accumulate. Find an interdental cleaning tool that works for you. Use dental floss if you have tight spaces between your teeth, or TePe Interdental Brushes if the gaps are wider.  
• Always go to bed with clean teeth – the production of saliva is reduced at night, which lowers the saliva’s capacity to protect your teeth.  
• Change your toothbrush regularly, at least every three months.  
• Use a tongue cleaner daily to remove bacteria from the surface of your tongue. 
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash such as TePe Hydrating Mouthwash to reduce symptoms of dry mouth.’

Brittle or fragile nails

‘Hormonal shifts may affect the growth and strength of fingernails, leading to increased splitting, thinning, or breakage,’ says Dr Phipps. ‘Hormones can help to support keratin production, which gives nails their strength and resilience. A decline in these hormones may lead to more fragile nails, often accompanied by changes in hair and skin.’

Increased sex drive and confidence

‘Although low libido is common, some women experience the opposite, a surge in sexual desire or a newfound confidence in expressing what they want,’ says Dr Ramskill. ‘This may be due to hormonal shifts favouring testosterone and the freedom that comes with life experience. 

‘The perimenopause is a great transition in a woman’s life, and it can be an easy one, or a challenging one. We’re all different and no two women experience the same thing. The important thing is to seek advice and support from the right kind of specialists, so you don’t suffer needlessly during this time of life.’

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