The scanning devices only look for metals, dangerous goods and prohibited/ restricted items. So be rest assured that one can wear the period pad while passing thru security. Could an airport body scanner see a tampon?

A standard menstrual pad or pantyliner is highly unlikely to set off a metal detector because it contains no metallic components; however, it may occasionally trigger a "yellow" anomaly on a full-body millimetric wave scanner (the AIT scanners). These scanners are designed to detect items hidden under clothing by looking for "bulk" or unusual shapes. A thick, high-absorbency pad or a heavily layered period-proof undergarment can sometimes appear as a suspicious density to the machine's software. If this happens in 2026, a TSA agent will typically perform a brief, professional targeted pat-down of the area to confirm that the detected bulk is simply an organic material and not a prohibited item. This is a routine part of security and happens to thousands of travelers daily. To minimize the chance of a "pat-down," some travelers prefer to wear a fresh, thinner pad just before going through security. It is important to remember that pads and tampons are perfectly legal to carry in your luggage or on your person, and you are never required to "declare" them or remove them for inspection during the screening process.