Searching the internet for ideas on how to please a woman will yield countless suggestions. Among these are expert opinions, like those we’ve gathered at Men’s Health. However, mixed in with valuable advice is a plethora of unreliable information found on message boards, social media, and even from well-meaning friends. Some of these tips are questionable at best.

Why so much misinformation? Many self-proclaimed sexual health “experts” online base their advice on scant experience, sometimes just reading a book by Hugh Hefner. Plus, preferences in the bedroom are diverse; what excites one woman might not work for another. It’s crucial to communicate with your partner and learn what she enjoys, especially when trying new things.

Despite the variety of preferences, some sex tips are consistently reported as ineffective. We asked women to share which “hot” tips flopped and which were surprisingly common. The consensus? Avoid mixing alcohol with sex and keep sugary items out of intimate settings.

• “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