If you’re scouring the internet looking for tips on how to please a woman, you will find no shortage of answers on your quest. The internet is full of tips for how to give your partner an orgasm, and we at Men’s Health have spoken with more than a few experts on this topic. But for every article that contains expert information on the subject, you’re also likely to find a lot of less reliable information from message boards and social media threads — and you’ll probably also get some bad info from your friends IRL. And some of their advice is, well, not so great.
What’s the reason for this? Well, a lot of people on the internet claim to be experts on sexual health, even if their only credential is reading Hugh Hefner’s book that one time. Plus, it’s important to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what women like in bed. In fact, they’re pretty diverse in their sexual tastes, so what works well for one woman might totally turn off another. That’s why it’s important to constantly check in with her and ask her what she likes when you’re trying something new.
There are, however, a few sex tips that women have gotten that are consistently not so great. When we gathered the women of the internet to learn which “hot” sex tips worked and which didn’t, there were a few repeats, as well as a few surprises. The takeaway: avoid mixing alcohol with sex, and it’s always a good idea to keep anything sugary out of the bedroom.
“Using lube. It burns! I hate that stuff.” — Betsy, 25
“Being rough during a blow job. Or blowing on a dick.” — Joanna, 27
“Using Popsicles during sex. They’re sticky and they leave a mess (though using ice was actually good for me).” — Mary, 49
“Riding a partner to achieve orgasm. I feel zero clitoral stimulation if I’m on top!” — Callie, 28
“Someone once told me to get a bit drunk before anal (so you’re more relaxed). Of course, I interpreted ‘a bit’ rather loosely. It didn’t turn out well.” — Lexelle, 32
“Have sex in the shower. Logistically, that’s a hard nope!” — Felicia, 33
“Honestly, the worst sex advice I’ve ever gotten was to ‘just feel sexy.’ Almost nothing about sex is sexy, and I always feel totally awkward when I try to be a sex kitten, so it turns out sex is one of the few areas where you can’t fake it till you make it. I’d rather acknowledge the awkwardness and laugh it off.” — Jennifer, 32
“Reverse cowgirl. I do not understand how you position that one.” — Kaye, 22
“69. It’s awkward. It’s not a great angle for maximum pleasure for either of us.” — Amber, 31
“Using olive oil on an inflatable mattress. Nope.” — Zara, 26
“To put toothpaste in your mouth when giving a blow job. I tried it, and not only did it taste absolutely disgusting, but it made his dick start to burn. Heard about it from Cosmo, natch.” — Jena, 30
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health