Smartphone Use Linked to Rising Hemorrhoid Cases

In earlier times, folks might have taken a newspaper or puzzle book with them for a few quiet moments in the restroom. Nowadays, though, it seems like smartphones have taken over that role, which brings a new concern: longer bathroom visits. As people scroll through social media or catch up on news, it becomes easy to lose track of time. Every extra minute on the toilet can add unnecessary pressure to the rectum, potentially leading to hemorrhoids, a notably uncomfortable condition that can be accompanied by symptoms like itching and bleeding.

There’s a noticeable increase in hemorrhoid cases, particularly among younger individuals, and one likely reason could be the habit of using smartphones in the bathroom.

A study published in the journal PLOS One revealed that using a phone while on the toilet raised the risk of hemorrhoids by 46%. This research took place at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which is linked to Harvard Medical School.

The study involved 125 adults who underwent screening colonoscopies and completed questionnaires about their bathroom habits—including phone usage, diet, exercise, and straining. Diagnoses of hemorrhoids were made using endoscopic examinations of the digestive tract.

Among the participants, a significant 66% reported using their smartphones while on the toilet and ended up spending notably more time there compared to those who did not. Interestingly, more than half (54%) claimed that reading the news was their most common activity, while 44% engaged with social media.

The statistics stood out: 37% of smartphone users spent over five minutes per visit in the bathroom, compared to just 7% of those who didn’t use their phones.

“I’ve been cautioning my patients for years against bringing their phones into the bathroom,” shared Dr. Benjamin Person, a senior colorectal surgeon in Haifa. “Using the phone simply extends the time you sit. The longer you maintain that posture, the greater the risk of developing hemorrhoids. What used to be just intuition is now backed by research data.”

Do These Findings Apply to Younger People?

While this research primarily focused on adults aged 45 and above, Dr. Person believes the findings likely extend to younger individuals as well, given their tendency to carry their phones everywhere. In addition to a low-fiber diet and obesity, the trend of scrolling on the toilet is now recognized as a contributing factor.

Why Is Phone Use Detrimental?

The main issue seems to stem from prolonged sitting. Unlike sturdy chairs, toilet seats don’t properly support the pelvic floor, causing blood to pool in the rectal area, which increases pressure. This added pressure can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids.

Moreover, using a phone also encourages leaning forward, a posture that can complicate bowel movements. In contrast, squatting tends to create an optimal angle, reducing strain during the process.

The study found that the key risk factors weren’t associated with constipation or straining, but rather with the amount of time spent sitting. Passive phone use resulted in swelling of the rectal tissues, which can protrude and eventually develop into hemorrhoids.

“The advice is straightforward,” Dr. Person emphasized. “Don’t take your phone into the restroom. Once it’s in your hands, you tend to stay longer, raising the risk of hemorrhoids.”

If you feel you must bring your phone, he suggests limiting the time spent. Current recommendations state that bathroom visits should ideally last no more than three to five minutes. Using a timer or restricting yourself to a couple of TikTok clips could help; the key is to avoid lingering.

Another habit that may exacerbate problems is holding it in. “When your body signals that it’s time, it’s crucial to listen,” remarked Dr. Fahmi Shibli, head of the neurogastroenterology unit at Emek Medical Center.

“The urge to use the restroom is a natural response to nerve signals. Ignoring those signals repeatedly retrains your body to dismiss them, and then, your brain stops sending the signals altogether.”

Dr. Shibli noted that consistently postponing bowel movements disrupts the physiological connection between the gut and the brain. “This entire neural pathway starts at the end of the digestive system and communicates with brain centers. When that connection is damaged, chronic constipation can result.”

This issue of delaying bathroom visits can affect anyone, starting from early childhood—such as kids hesitating to use school restrooms, soldiers unable to relieve themselves in the field, or workers who prefer to “wait until they get home.”

Women tend to experience this more often, likely due to increased sensitivities around hygiene and embarrassment regarding the subject.

It’s worth noting that not all instances of holding it in are rooted in embarrassment; sometimes, they stem from fears of discomfort due to conditions like fissures or hemorrhoids. “This only worsens the issue,” Dr. Shibli cautioned. “Any kind of pain needs evaluation and treatment, or it may create a ‘vicious cycle’ of constipation, bleeding, and hemorrhoids.”

Parents should communicate with their children about these feelings. “Speak to them, observe if they’re holding it in, and assure them that asking to go isn’t embarrassing. It’s essential.”

For adults, it’s important to remember, “Don’t hold it in just because you have one more email to send. You’re harming your body and retraining it to stop signaling you when it’s time to go.”

Pro Tips to Avoid Issues

• Listen to your body and respond when you feel the urge to go.
• Stay hydrated to help soften stool.
• Include fiber-rich foods in your diet, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Don’t feel ashamed; this is a natural and important part of health.

Interestingly, coffee can sometimes help. “It stimulates the digestive system,” Dr. Shibli explained. “Beyond just caffeine, it also contains compounds that activate nerve pathways in the intestines, which is why many feel the urge to go after a cup.”

For some, coffee becomes an essential part of their routine. “It’s a conditioned response,” Dr. Shibli clarified.

While smoking—though certainly not advised—works similarly, as nicotine can stimulate intestinal receptors, leading to a need to go. However, Dr. Shibli warns against depending on this method as a long-term solution. “It can create a reliance on stimulants like coffee or cigarettes. When you quit smoking, the effect fades. It’s better to utilize natural methods.”

The Bottom Line:

Don’t hold it in. Go when your body signals you to do so, and keep your toilet time to just a few minutes. Ignoring your body’s communications can lead to constipation, hemorrhoids, and a decline in overall quality of life.