Can TSA screenings see tampons?

Can you see a tampon during an airport body scan? This is a frequently asked question on Google, and if it's something you're worried about, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Airport body scanners can't see inside the body and therefore can't detect a tampon on a TSA female body scan image.



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“There's nothing quite like an unexpected full-body pat-down by a stranger… but that's exactly what's happening to some menstruating people who are going through TSA body scans. The scanners are getting set off by period products, which is leading to embarrassing physical checks. This is a completely avoidable problem.

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Airport body scanners alert the TSO to threats—mainly weapons such as knives, guns and explosives. They are designed to detect “metallic and nonmetallic threat items,” according to the TSA.

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Pack a Period Travel Kit
Even if you are not expecting to come on your period while you're away, be sure to pack what you might need just in case — you might find that you come early. Pack your painkillers, ibuprofen, heating pads, spare pants and a mix of tampon/pad sizes, so that you're covered no matter your flow.

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The short answer is no, condoms don't need to be screened separately at airport security.

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Some airlines do require that pads or tampons need to be unboxed and stored in a transparent zip lock bag, so make sure you check the rules first.

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Yes, you can. If you're already on your period or there is even a slim chance that your period might start during your journey, you should always pack a good supply of pads and/or tampons.

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Access to clean feminine hygiene products is a basic human right and no airline can prevent you from bringing them onboard. If you're already on your period or there is even a slim chance that your period might start during your journey, you should always pack a good supply of pads and/or tampons.

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On imaging, the vaginal tampon takes the shape and orientation of the vaginal canal and resembles air in attenuation, because of the gas between the fibers. Occasionally, the string of the tampon may also be seen. Radiologists need to recognize a vaginal tampon, to not get confused with a pathology (21, 22).

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So many questions arise: Can you bring lube on a plane? Is it okay to pack condoms in a carry-on? As it turns out, the answer to both is yes — you can take lube on a plane, even in your carry-on, provided it's under 3.4 oz. (it can be any size if you check your bag).

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It's normal for your cycle to be thrown off course and perhaps even miss a period when you travel. If you have concerns about skipping a period, or you miss two or more cycles once you return, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.

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Airport body scanners can't see inside the body and therefore can't detect a tampon on a TSA female body scan image. “Millimeter wave imaging technology does not detect items inside a passenger's body or penetrate the skin,” Langston says.

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