U=U HIV+ Status Harms Women

The Undetectable Lie: Why HIV Is Spreading Even as Men Claim They’re “Undetectable”

U=U" stands for Undetectable equals Untransmittable

By Sharnellia Bennett-Smith

Washington, D.C. — Alongside the daily use of PrEP, women—particularly Black women—must begin demanding verified documentation of their partner’s current HIV viral load. Despite widespread claims of being "undetectable," HIV infection rates are rising, with Black women disproportionately affected. The assumption that verbal assurances equate to medical safety is proving dangerously false. and therefore unable to transmit the virus. The public health message known as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable) is not medically accurate and under specific conditions, this increasingly being misused as a blanket excuse for high-risk behavior and a shield against accountability.

Black women, especially those in urban centers, are bearing the brunt of this resurgence. Many of these women are engaging in relationships with men who do not identify as gay but have sex with men, and who often claim to be undetectable or on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). These claims are rarely backed by evidence such as recent lab work or medical documentation. In many cases, they are simply verbal assurances used to bypass conversations about protection and risk.

Recent data shows that HIV infection rates among heterosexual Black women are increasing. Coinfections with other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are also on the rise, compounding the risk of HIV transmission. Meanwhile, public health narratives continue to emphasize trust, medication adherence, and community protection—while ignoring the reality that many women are being misled.

The only way to verify that a person is truly undetectable is through a viral load test, which measures the amount of HIV in the bloodstream. A result showing fewer than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood is considered undetectable, and must be maintained for at least six months with regular testing and consistent use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Without access to those test results, any claim of being undetectable is unverifiable.

PrEP, when taken consistently, is an effective tool for preventing HIV. However, it does not protect against other STIs, and it does not eliminate the risk posed by partners who engage in unsafe sex while claiming to be on medication.

The misuse of U=U and PrEP messaging is contributing to a climate in which Black women are discouraged from advocating for their own safety. Asking to see test results is often framed as offensive or mistrustful. As a result, women are left vulnerable—expected to prioritize other people’s comfort over their own health. Public health campaigns must begin to acknowledge this gap in messaging. HIV prevention strategies must include the lived experiences of women, particularly Black women, and offer them the tools to protect themselves without shame. 

Many men who are not in long-term, committed relationships often fail to consistently adhere to the strict medication regimen required to maintain an undetectable HIV status. Yet, these same men frequently assure women that they are “safe” based on the undetectable label—without offering proof, accountability, or transparency. This creates a dangerous dynamic in which women are expected to trust verbal claims without evidence, placing their health and lives at serious risk. The widespread belief that a man is undetectable simply because he says so is not only medically irresponsible—it’s deeply troubling and reflects a broader pattern of deception, sexual entitlement, and disregard for women’s bodily autonomy.