I’ve mentioned before that sex can suck because of all those consequences that come from it. Pregnancy, for example. Or STDs. AIDS. Lots of fun stuff.

Unfortunately, most of the solutions for these consequences really blow (and not even literally), too.

Let’s take for instance condoms. Sure, they’re cheap. And sure, they’re a great on-the-spot fix for those one-night stands or times when you just want to do it and don’t have access to one of the other methods of birth control. But after so many times you’ve been in the heat of passion, and suddenly had to stop and say, “Wait … lemme reach for a rubber,” it gets slightly annoying after a while.

Unfortunately, this rubber glove is pretty much the most effective way we have to control both pregnancy and genital infection. Which is sort of pathetic. Condoms always have a risk of breaking, and if you don’t put it on right, you risk screwing something up. Your life path is more or less potentially in the hands of a little piece of latex. How depressing.

Unless you abstain, of course. But what’s the fun in that?

So what are your other options? Unfortunately, most of them depend on a woman’s initiative, which pretty much leaves a lot of the responsibility (again) on us girls.

At any rate, for women there are a slew of options, especially if you’re in a stable relationship with virtually no fears of viral infection. Diaphragms and cervical caps are seemingly age-old methods, but are notoriously slippery little buggers to get positioned properly, especially when lubricated with the necessary spermicide.

The pill, when used properly, is one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. It also will cause many women to gain about 20 pounds, and until the right prescription can be found, potentially bring on a whole line of PMS-like mood swings. You also have to remember to take it at exactly the same time every day so your body doesn’t go too much out of whack, or you nullify the effectiveness of the pill. On the plus side, some pills have been known to clear up acne, and the menstrual cycle becomes more predictable.

Some people, unfortunately, cannot take the pill. For these, implanted capsules – Norplant – can be used. The implants work for five years and can be taken out for a quick return to fertility. Unfortunately, Norplant implants can be expensive and painful to remove.

There is also an injection contraceptive, Depo-Provera, which is basically a shot given every 12 weeks that prevents the egg from implanting itself in the woman’s uterine lining.

Actually, an Australian research company has just finished testing on a male form of this injection. It hasn’t been released yet, but this injection would suppress sperm production. Unfortunately, not many pharmaceutical agencies are interested in producing this form of birth control because of the lack of interest among males in dealing with a pill or injection.

Which is really too bad, because the only other ways a guy can contribute to the birth control deal is through vasectomy or castration – both of which are pretty severe operations to go through.

Daily Nexus features editor Sarah Kent is rather low-key today. But next week she’ll probably flare back up again.