

In case you didn't know paranoia and your first pregnancy go hand in hand. You'll spend each trimester with the goal of making it to each prenatal appointment without hearing the words “abnormal test results."
My first batch of mommy guilt came when I was admitted to the hospital last summer for an asthma attack when I was five months pregnant. My GYN repeatedly reassured me that the albuterol I was inhaling wouldn't affect the baby. “If you have to choose between albuterol and not breathing, I would say not breathing is probably more harmful to the baby," she joked, but I still worried that pumping on my inhaler would result in me one day sitting in front of elementary school principal telling me my daughter needed to be tested for ADHD.
Little did I know, my asthma was the least of my problems. In addition to eventually having a scheduled c-section due to a mild case of placenta previa, during one of my first prenatal appointments my GYN entered the office and casually revealed that I had tested positive for HPV. My fiancé and I sat there exchanging confused expressions both wondering if we should be worried.
As a sex educator I've lost count of how many times I had taught my students about HPV being fairly common, but being diagnosed was something I didn't expect.
Who had I gotten it from? Was it going to affect my daughter? Was it a first-class ticket to cervical cancer? Sensing the slight trace of panic in my fiancé's furrowed eyebrow, the doctor went on to recite a rehearsed spiel about HPV being fairly common and something we would have to keep an eye on in the years to come. It was the first time she told me, “I wouldn't worry about it," as she continued to do throughout much of my pregnancy. In fact she treated the diagnosis like a case of athlete's foot, which actually turned out to be a big help in keeping me focused on the bigger task at hand. Most importantly, the baby wasn't at risk for infection.
After hearing the baby's heartbeat and learning that I had gained an impressive two pounds over the past few months, on the car ride home my fiancé blurted out, “Oh my God. What if this is my fault? What if because of me you and the baby have cervical cancer?" I can understand how people who don't spend their workdays putting condoms on bananas and getting excited over the details of super gonorrhea might panic when they hear about anything that can't be cured and starts with an “H" and ends with a “V."
But the truth is HPV is so common almost all sexually active men and woman will get it at some point in their lives and it can take years to appear.
With both us having several partners before we became exclusive, there was no way to tell who gave who what. I could have gotten it prom night or in my college dorm. If you ever had unprotected sex, there's a strong possibility that you could have HPV too. But is that really a big deal?
[Tweet "If you ever had unprotected sex, there's a strong possibility that you could have HPV too."]
Yes and no. It's almost two years later for me and as far as I know I'm free of any signs of cervical cancer. But it is important for me to get yearly pap smears so that my doctor can make sure I stay in the clear. There's also the chance that it could completely clear up on its own. According to the CDC about 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV and about 14 million people become newly infected each year. In fact as I broke the news to a friend a few weeks after my diagnosis she laughed before telling me, “Girl, I got diagnosed with that a few years ago. No biggie."
So should you just continue to get it cracking as usual since the odds are you'll be infected anyway? Just because HPV is common doesn't mean it isn't a threat or that you shouldn't protect yourself. Here are few facts to consider before your next pap smear:
Having your v-card (and a penis) has its advantages.
Here's another good reason to hold onto to your v-card a little bit longer: If you haven't had sex (that includes anal and oral too) you're probably HPV free. There is an HPV vaccine available, although doctors warn that if you have already been sexually active for some time, it may not be worth the injection since you probably have already been exposed. Doctors recommend young women and men get the vaccine at age 11 or 12 before becoming sexually active. Males can get “catch-up" vaccines through age 21 (females have until age 26) if they have never been sexually active and didn't get the vaccine when they were younger. You should also continue to use condoms to lessen the chance of catching HPV or spreading it to others.
Because there are different strains, men can carry the strain that causes HPV and pass it to their partners, but won't be at risk for cervical cancer since they "lack" the proper anatomy.
Symptoms can take time.
A positive HPV result doesn't mean you need to kick your cheating-behind partner to the curb. Nor does it mean someone must have had all kinds of wild, crazy sex with all kinds of partners. Unfortunately with STDs comes a stigma that someone must have traded in all their morality for a good time because of course responsible people don't get HPV. Like any other STD, it only takes one time and it may take years to develop symptoms after you have sex with someone who is infected, meaning you or your partner could have been infected for years without knowing.
Different strains have different symptoms.
There are HPV strains that cause genital warts, some cause cervical cancer and some completely disappear on their own. Genital warts are not the cutest most comfortable things in the world, but are treatable.
You know what is pretty sexy though? That paper gown you'll be rocking at your next annual exam. Cervical cancer can successfully be treated especially if it is detected early through regular HPV screenings, which doctors recommend for women over 30.
Writer, sexual health superhero, and #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoy curator regularly featured on @Madamenoire. Toya can usually be found in between her earbuds, listening to trap music and refreshing her browser for concert tickets. Tweet her @thetruetsharee.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage