- A new study suggests that using your phone while on the toilet may raise your hemorrhoids risk.
- People who scroll on the toilet tend to be younger and spend more time in the bathroom.
- Lower your risk of hemorrhoids by leaving your phone alone, eating fiber and exercising.
Smartphones have become a part of everyday life, even influencing personal habits like health and hygiene. Whether we like it or not, it’s easy to get attached to our phones—and even get into the habit of scrolling while sitting on the toilet.
While this behavior is common, its potential health effects, particularly on conditions like hemorrhoids, haven’t been well-studied. Hemorrhoids are a major health issue, causing nearly 4 million medical visits and over $800 million in healthcare costs annually. They’re more commonly treated than conditions like colon cancer or irritable bowel syndrome, yet there’s little agreement on what causes them. Known risk factors for hemorrhoids include constipation, straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting on the toilet, low fiber intake, pregnancy, obesity and a lack of physical activity.
Although many people suspect a connection between smartphone use on the toilet and hemorrhoids, no detailed study has been done to confirm this link. To bridge this gap, a recent study explored whether using a smartphone while on the toilet is associated with an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids, and the results were published in PLoS One.
How Was This Study Conducted?
This study was conducted to explore the potential link between smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Adult patients scheduled for routine colonoscopy were invited to participate. Before their procedure, participants completed an online survey that collected information about their age, gender, body mass index (BMI), physical activity levels (using a validated questionnaire) and dietary habits, including fiber intake.
They were also asked about their smartphone habits while using the toilet, such as how often and how long they used their phones and what activities they performed (e.g., scrolling social media or reading). Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire to assess bowel health and symptoms, including straining during bowel movements.
To confirm the presence of hemorrhoids, researchers reviewed the colonoscopy reports for each participant. The data was analyzed using statistical software to compare smartphone users and non-users, as well as other factors like gender, BMI, physical activity and fiber intake. Researchers used advanced statistical methods to determine whether smartphone use on the toilet was linked to a higher risk of hemorrhoids, while accounting for other potential influences.
What Did The Study Find?
Out of 143 people invited to participate in the study, 125 completed the survey in full and were included in the analysis. Smartphone users tended to be younger, with an average age of 55.4 years compared to 62.1 years for non-users.
When it came to health outcomes, 43% of all participants had hemorrhoids identified during their colonoscopy. After adjusting for factors like age, sex, BMI, exercise, straining and fiber intake, smartphone use on the toilet was associated with a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids. Among smartphone users, the most common activity was reading news (54.3%), followed by scrolling through social media (44.4%).
Of those who used smartphones on the toilet, 93% said they did so at least once or twice per week, and more than half reported using their phones “most of the time” while on the toilet. Smartphone users also spent significantly more time on the toilet than non-users. Specifically, 37.3% of smartphone users spent more than five minutes per visit, compared to just 7.1% of non-users. Interestingly, men appeared more likely than women to spend six minutes or more on the toilet while using their smartphones, though this difference was not statistically significant. Despite this, only 35% of smartphone users admitted that their phone use caused them to spend more time on the toilet at least 1–2 times per week.
This study has a few limitations to keep in mind when interpreting the results. First, the presence of hemorrhoids was determined based on colonoscopy reports, which can vary depending on the endoscopist. Some may not document hemorrhoids, perform certain techniques (like retroflexion) or have consistent skills in identifying them. Another limitation is the study’s design; it’s cross-sectional, meaning it looks at a single point in time, so the researchers can’t prove that smartphone use on the toilet actually causes hemorrhoids.
Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, like time spent on the toilet and straining, which could be affected by memory errors. The participants, all adults aged 45 and older undergoing routine colonoscopies, may not fully represent the general population. Lastly, the researchers didn’t measure how long participants had been using smartphones on the toilet—it’s possible that longer-term use could lead to worse toilet habits and a higher risk of hemorrhoids over time.
How Does This Apply To Real Life?
This study uncovers the truth behind a habit that’s testing the patience of spouses everywhere: using smartphones on the toilet. Turns out, those endless bathroom scroll sessions might be doing more than just annoying your partner; they could be impacting your health, too. With smartphones becoming a constant companion, it’s easy to lose track of time while scrolling through social media or reading the news when sitting “on the throne.”
However, spending extra time on the toilet (whether you’re on a smartphone or not) appears to be linked to an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids, a condition that already affects a significant portion of the population. The findings suggest that smartphone use on the toilet is linked to longer bathroom visits, which may contribute to this risk. For those who already experience hemorrhoid symptoms or want to avoid them, being mindful of how long you spend on the toilet and limiting distractions like your phone could be a simple step toward better health.
For anyone who uses their phone as a way to pass the time in the bathroom, it might be worth reconsidering this habit. Small changes, like leaving your phone outside the bathroom or setting a time limit for your visits, may make a big difference in the long run—both for your health and for the person waiting for you on the couch or at dinner.
Our Expert Take
This study, published in PLoS One, offers valuable insights into the connection between smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of developing hemorrhoids. In summary, this study highlights that smartphone use on the toilet is common, particularly among younger individuals, and is linked to spending more time on the toilet and a 46% increased risk of hemorrhoids. While the study doesn’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights how this common behavior could be a contributing factor to a condition that already impacts millions of people annually.
These findings serve as a reminder to be mindful of our daily habits and their potential impact on health. Limiting distractions like smartphones in the bathroom and reducing time spent on the toilet may help lower the risk of hemorrhoids. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as staying active, eating a fiber-rich diet and avoiding straining during bowel movements, remains essential for reducing hemorrhoid risk.
