Many people are guilty of scrolling through their phones while sitting on the toilet—but doctors now warn it could significantly raise the risk of haemorrhoids. A new study revealed that smartphone users tend to spend much longer on the loo than those without devices, and this extended sitting time is strongly linked to piles—painful, swollen veins in the rectal area.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the US found that using a smartphone in the bathroom was tied to a 46% higher chance of developing haemorrhoids. Lead author Dr Trisha Pasricha explained that while modern devices shape many aspects of our health, using them on the toilet may have unintended consequences.
The study, which included 125 adults undergoing bowel cancer screening, showed two–thirds admitted to using their phones while on the toilet. Among them, 37% stayed seated for more than five minutes compared to just 7% of non-users. Activities ranged from reading the news and scrolling social media to texting, gaming, and watching videos.
Interestingly, straining during bowel movements was not associated with increased risk, contrary to past research. Instead, prolonged sitting time was the biggest factor.
Dr Pasricha advised people to limit bathroom time and leave their phones outside: “If it’s taking too long, ask yourself whether it’s really difficult to pass stool, or if your attention is just on your phone.”
Haemorrhoids affect about half of the UK population at some point in life, with risks heightened by constipation, pregnancy, and ageing. Experts recommend a fibre-rich diet and adequate water intake to lower the chances.
The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.
