Habitual phone use on toilet may increase hemorrhoid risk by 46%. Experts explain how bathroom phone habits affect gut health and posture.
New Delhi– In today’s screen-obsessed world, even the bathroom is no sanctuary from smartphones. But a new study warns that this modern ritual could be exacting a hidden health cost.
According to research published in PLOS One, adults who engage in habitual phone use on toilet face a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids – a painful and often embarrassing condition.
With 66% of adults admitting to scrolling while seated on the loo, experts are cautioning that what feels like harmless multitasking may actually be harming gastrointestinal health.
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The Study: Phone Use on Toilet and Hemorrhoid Risk
The research was led by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, gastroenterologist and director of the Gut-Brain Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. Between August and December 2024, her team surveyed 125 adults aged 45 and older undergoing routine colonoscopies.
Participants detailed their toilet-time tech use, diet, exercise habits, and bowel patterns. Hemorrhoid diagnoses were confirmed by two blinded specialists using endoscopic exams.
Key findings:
- Smartphone users were younger (avg. 55.4 years) than non-users (62.1 years) and exercised less.
- 37.3% of phone users stayed on the toilet longer than five minutes, compared to just 7.1% of non-users.
- After adjusting for age, BMI, fiber intake, and straining, habitual phone users had a 46% higher odds of hemorrhoids (p=0.044).
- Most common distractions: reading news (54.3%) and social media browsing (44.4%).
Speaking to CNN, Dr. Pasricha emphasized: “This isn’t causation, but the association is strong. Prolonged sitting on an unsupported toilet seat increases venous pressure in the rectum. It’s not about constipation—it’s about wasted time.”
Beyond Hemorrhoids: Hidden Strains from Phone Use on Toilet
While hemorrhoids were the focus, experts warn that phone use on toilet may trigger broader digestive issues:
- Posture problems: Colorectal surgeon Dr. Hima Ghanta, speaking to CNN, explained: “Hunching over your phone alters spinal alignment, compresses the abdomen, and makes bowel movements harder.”
- Constipation risk: Dr. Eamonn Quigley, gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist, told The New York Times that smartphone-induced slouching narrows the anorectal angle, slowing stool passage.
- Severe cases: Dr. Lynn O’Connor, colorectal specialist, explained in The New York Times that chronic straining can lead to rectal prolapse, where tissue protrudes outside the anus.
- Lifestyle clues: The study also noted that smartphone toilet users reported less exercise overall—an independent risk factor for poor digestive health.
Germs on the Go: Phones as Bacterial Hotbeds
Health hazards don’t stop with hemorrhoids. Numerous studies show phones are teeming with microbes—often more than the toilet seat itself.
- Phones carry an average of 25,127 bacteria per square inch—20 times more than a public toilet seat, according to research cited in RTE Brainstorm (2024).
- A London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine study found 92% of phones contained fecal bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
- Toilet flushes can aerosolize germs up to six feet, coating devices with invisible pathogens.
As Dr. O’Connor quipped in The New York Times: “Every flush is a bacterial spray tan for your device.”
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Breaking the Habit: Healthier Toilet Time
Experts recommend simple strategies to reduce risks from phone use on toilet:
- Follow the five-minute rule: Dr. Pasricha told CNN: “If nothing happens, get up. Don’t linger.”
- Boost fiber and hydration: Aim for 25–30 grams of fiber daily from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity reduces constipation and improves circulation.
- Adopt posture aids: Tools like the Squatty Potty simulate squatting and reduce rectal pressure.
- Keep phones out: Wipe devices daily with alcohol-based cleaners and leave them outside the bathroom.
For those already experiencing discomfort, over-the-counter creams may provide temporary relief, but persistent symptoms warrant medical attention.
Dr. Sandhya Shukla, gastroenterologist, told CNN: “We’re now seeing hemorrhoids in 20-somethings—low fiber, obesity, and yes, toilet TikTok are culprits. Awareness is the first step.”
A Modern Wake-Up Call
While limited by its small, older sample size, the BIDMC study is the first to statistically link phone use on toilet with hemorrhoid risk. It highlights how digital habits—however mundane—can disrupt basic bodily functions.
As Dr. Pasricha told CNN: “Phones can be relaxing, but balance is key. Your gut will thank you if you log off the loo.”
In a screen-saturated era, reclaiming the bathroom as a no-device zone may be the simplest and healthiest step you can take.