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For many, checking the news or scrolling through social media while on the toilet has become second nature.<\/p>\nFor many, checking the news or scrolling through social media while on the toilet has become second nature.<\/p>\n
But a recent study presented at the Digestive Diseases Week 2025<\/em> conference has raised a surprising red flag: this seemingly harmless habit could increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids.<\/p>\n The issue the researchers explored makes perfect sense.<\/p>\n Smartphones have completely changed how we spend our time, including in the bathroom.<\/p>\n Unlike the old days of flipping through a magazine or newspaper (which had end-of-page breaks to stop reading), our phones can keep us glued to the screen far longer.<\/p>\n The research team investigated this connection by studying people already scheduled for colonoscopies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.<\/p>\n This allowed doctors to directly examine and document whether hemorrhoids were present, rather than relying only on self-reports.<\/p>\n They surveyed 125 adults, asking detailed questions about their smartphone habits while using the toilet.<\/p>\n They wanted to know how often people used their phones, what they did on them, and how long they typically spent in the bathroom.<\/p>\n The researchers also gathered information on other factors that might affect hemorrhoid development, like age, weight, exercise, and fiber intake.<\/p>\n The results painted a clear picture of modern bathroom behavior:<\/em><\/p>\n 2.\t66% of people used smartphones while on the toilet.<\/p>\n 3.\tOf those, 93% used their phones at least once or twice a week in the bathroom.<\/p>\n 4.\t55.4% used their phones most of the time while on the toilet.<\/p>\n 5.\tMost importantly, phone users had a 46% higher risk<\/strong> of developing hemorrhoids compared to non-users.<\/p>\n 6.\t37% of phone users spent more than six minutes per toilet visit, compared to just 7% of non-users.<\/p>\n 7.\t35% of phone users admitted they believed they spent more time on the toilet because of their phone.<\/p>\n 8.\tThe most common bathroom phone activity was reading the news (54%), followed by social media (44%) and texting or emailing (30%).<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n Even after adjusting for other risk factors like age, sex, weight, diet, and physical activity, the link between smartphone use and hemorrhoids remained strong.<\/p>\n Why? Scientists believe prolonged sitting and straining during bowel movements puts pressure on the blood vessels in your rectum and anus.<\/p>\n Over time, this pressure can lead to swelling, pain, and bleeding.<\/p>\n But putting down your phone won\u2019t cure your hemorrhoids.<\/p>\n\n