If your ok with sex as just sex then I will be blunt. You can do it yourself and you can buy things to help you along. Of course there is nothing that compares to sex with a real person but if you are having sex with a prostitute then you are not getting sex with any feeling whatsoever. She won't care about you and you will know that you have paid her. It sounds like you have reservations about this already or you would've just done it. I think in your heart you know what is best for you. The best sex is making love with someone you care about.
I have a question for you. I have never had a problem picking up men or finding someone. I also know people who never seem to get asked to dance or get hit on. There is something to be said for body language. For the look on your face. That's what people are looking at first in a situation. It's ok to be shy but you also have to be open. That is tough to do when you are feeling insecure. From what you say about people not noticing you. Are you giving them something to notice? Are you content to sit in the corner and blend into the walls? Do you engage in the conversation? Do you come up with ideas to talk about? Do you talk to total strangers in the grocery store, video rental, mall? To be seen you have to make yourself seen. I don't know you but from reading your posts you said you actually scared people sometimes because they forget you are there. YOU have to remind them. People aren't going to engage you in conversation if you are sitting there and not partticipating. If you don't want to be alone then you need to show a woman why she would want to be with you. What are your good qualities? What are your talents? Express yourself and use your good stuff to be the best you can be.
AS for being alone and unhappy or being with someone and unhappy. Definately alone. If you are with someone and unhappy you have a responsibility to someone elses feelings and life. Why make their life unhappy? If you don't really love a woman it will show thru in how you treat her and everything you do. That isn't fair to her. And if you dont really love her you probably wont want to have sex with her either.
I'll shut up now.
Heidu