One study found that the post-menopausal age group is at greater risk of peripheral neuropathy and determined that declining estrogen levels, as seen during the menopausal transition, critical in the development of the condition. [2] This supports the tingling in breast menopause experience as well as the prickly itchy skin menopause experience.

Any type of neuropathy is a symptom of some other problem occurring in your body. There are multiple causes of peripheral neuropathy, including cancer, cancer treatments, diabetes, infections, poor circulation, or low vitamin B levels. If you have or may have any of these conditions it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any serious underlying problems that may be causing your tingling or electric shock sensations. 

If the sensations of tingling or electric shocks become too intense or too disruptive, speak to your healthcare provider who may prescribe medications to help. These treatments, that focus on addressing the pain and discomfort associated with peripheral neuropathy, include the following:

• Steroids, although this is usually just a short-term treatment. 
• Prescription numbing creams or patches.
• Anti-seizure medicines, which are often used to help treat nerve pain. [3] 
• Antidepressants, particularly tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, doxepin, and imipramine) and venlafaxine, bupropion, and duloxetine. The mechanism that causes these antidepressants to be effective in pain management isn’t fully understood, but its effectiveness is clinically recognized. [7] 

Other treatments that may be helpful to deal with chronic tingling or electric shock sensations could include: 

• Acupuncture
• Physical and/or restorative therapy – Working with a physical therapist is recommended for all  chronic pain conditions.
• Psychological treatments / therapies – These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and relaxation training as well as psychotherapy, group therapy, or counselling. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate that these therapies can provide relief of back pain or other chronic pain conditions for up to two years. [8]

The Science

Your central nervous system is made up of your brain and your spinal cord. Your peripheral nervous system is made up of all of the nerves that are located outside of the central nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system sends information, including sensory information, from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) out to the rest of your body. The tingling or electric shock sensations are experienced when any of the nerves in your peripheral nervous system are damaged or dysfunctional in some way.

In a healthy nervous system, when nerve cells are stimulated in some way they send a signal to your brain along the nervous system pathway. Your brain then sends a response signal back down the nervous system pathway that causes a physical response of some type. For example if you touch something hot your nerve cells sense the heat and send a signal to your brain about it. Your brain will then send a response to move your hand away from the source of the heat. Tingles and electric shock sensations occur when your peripheral nervous system sends signals in the absence of any stimulus.

There are over 100 recognized types of peripheral neuropathy and each of these has its own characteristic symptoms and treatment plans. Peripheral neuropathies are classified based on which type of peripheral nerve is affected:

Sensory neuropathy occurs when sensory nerves that control what you feel (e.g. pain, sensations) are damaged or not functioning properly.

Motor neuropathy occurs when the nerves that control your muscles (and your movements) are damaged or not functioning properly. This can cause issues with your balance or your grip.
Autonomic nerve neuropathy occurs when your autonomic nerves, which control core body functions such as breathing and the beating of your heart, are damaged or not functioning properly. This type of peripheral neuropathy can be very serious, even life-threatening.

Combination neuropathies that occur if you have two or all three peripheral nerve types involved. For example, you could experience a sensory-motor neuropathy. [5] [9]