For many people, the bathroom has become more than a place to answer nature’s call, it is now a quiet sanctuary to catch up on news, scroll through social media, or grab a few minutes of “me time.”
But doctors are warning that this habit may be taking a toll on our health.
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A new study seen by EKO HOT BLOG and published in the journal PLOS One has linked smartphone use on the toilet to a significantly higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus that can cause itching, pain, discomfort, and bleeding.
Researchers surveyed 125 adults who were undergoing routine colonoscopies, asking about their bathroom habits, smartphone use, fiber intake, exercise, and whether they strained during bowel movements. Endoscopic exams confirmed whether participants had hemorrhoids.
The results were striking: 66% of participants admitted to regularly using their smartphones while on the toilet. These respondents spent far more time in the bathroom than those who left their phones outside — and were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids.
“People lose track of time in the bathroom when they have their phones,” said Dr. Trisha Pasricha, the study’s senior author and director of the Gut-Brain Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “The entire business model of these social media apps is to distract us, make us lose track of time and addict us to the algorithm.”
Experts say the issue isn’t necessarily straining but rather prolonged sitting on the toilet. Unlike sitting on a chair, the open seat keeps the bottom in a lowered position and increases pressure on the rectal area, causing blood to pool. “When you’re sitting on an open toilet bowl, you have no pelvic floor support,” Pasricha explained.
Posture also plays a role. Dr. Hima Ghanta, a colorectal surgeon at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey, noted that people tend to hunch over their phones, which makes bowel movements less efficient and prolongs the process.
While the study focused on adults aged 45 and older, Pasricha believes the findings may be even more relevant for younger generations, who are rarely separated from their phones. “Having a third of people not bringing their smartphones to the bathroom helped us understand what a baseline could look like, especially as I imagine the situation is more profound for younger individuals,” she said.
Doctors recommend simple steps to lower hemorrhoid risk: leave your phone outside the bathroom, limit toilet time to three to five minutes per visit, and resist the urge to sit and wait if nothing is happening. Setting a timer or checking in after a couple of TikTok videos can keep scrolling from stretching into a medical issue.
FURTHER READING
“There are many things in life we’re rushing to get through, and we often say to slow down and take time to smell the roses,” Ghanta said. “But not on the toilet.”
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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