I did look consider putting this in the Women Travelers forum, but, well, while it's specific to women, it's only an issue *because* of these stupid "security" measures. I figure the guys can handle it. And if not, they should, and at least they'll thank their lucky stars that when considering all the hassles of security options, this one isn't one they need to deal with...

But yeah, it's beyond crazy that this is a real consideration now. I can barely wrap my brain around it.

I didn't realize there was a formal tampon paradox, but yes, that's exactly the point - for both scanning and groping - either it's zealous enough to catch this stuff, in which case it's ridiculously intrusive to the point of illegality, or it's not zealous enough to catch this stuff, in which case, it's useless as security.

Which brings me back to that original question - how would they ask you to prove yourself? Because surely if they're even going to pretend this has to do with security, just saying "oh, that's a menstrual pad/tampon string" shouldn't be good enough, right? And given the numbers of women traveling, at any given time there are clearly large numbers of women who are wearing tampons and/or pads, who are not suddenly going to start wearing diva cups or the like...it's got to come up often enough. For myself, I know I'm not going to go into a private room with just a TSA person (and if they insist, I'd insist on a LEO joining us), which then leaves some method of proof that's possible publicly. I know I'd be much more able to pull out a pad than a tampon in public view, although the idea is a bit horrifying on many levels. Of course, yes, that then gets into the whole biohazard area, and perhaps then I'd be risking arrest on that ground, but what would the alternative be if proof of some sort is demanded? (And again, if proof *isn't* demanded, can we just end this ridiculous charade already???)