Officers were called to Tennyson Terrace on Monday, Northumbria Police said.
The force did not comment on reports an Army bomb disposal team was also called to the address, which was cordoned off in the afternoon.
A police spokesman said: "Following the search of an address on Tennyson Terrace, North Shields, yesterday, police have found the body of a woman at the property.
"One man, aged 41, believed to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
"Officers have now launched a full investigation but are not in a position to name the deceased at this time.
"Police remain in the local area and if residents have any concerns they can speak to officers face to face or by contacting the North Shields neighbourhood police team on 101."