New Delhi: In an age where smartphones accompany us everywhere — even to the bathroom — a new health concern is quietly emerging. What seemed like a harmless habit of scrolling through phones on the toilet might be raising the risk of developing hemorrhoids, a study reveals.
According to recent research, two out of three adults admitted to using smartphones while seated on the toilet. This distraction often prolongs their bathroom visits, with most smartphone users sitting for over five minutes — a sharp contrast to only 7% of non-users.
The study highlights a concerning 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids among those who use their phones in the toilet, even after accounting for diet, physical activity, and other common risk factors. Unlike traditional beliefs that straining causes hemorrhoids, the new evidence points to prolonged sitting itself as the key trigger.
Smartphones in the Toilet: A Hidden Health Risk You Should not Ignore
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us carry our smartphones everywhere, even into the toilet. For some, the bathroom has become a mini reading lounge, a place to catch up on news, emails, or social media… pic.twitter.com/VvfdU0w3Gi
— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) September 5, 2025
The medical explanation is straightforward. When sitting too long on the toilet, blood flow to the rectal veins increases, causing swelling and the painful discomfort typical of hemorrhoids. Smartphones, with their engaging content, keep users distracted long enough to unknowingly extend their sitting time, thus worsening this pressure.
To guard against this risk, experts advise a few simple but effective measures:
Keep your smartphone outside the bathroom.
Limit toilet time to under five minutes.
Enhance your diet with fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to soften stools and ease bowel movements.
Drink plenty of water daily.
Maintain regular physical activity.
This new insight serves as a reminder that even small lifestyle changes, such as not bringing phones to the toilet, can make a meaningful difference to one’s health. Protecting oneself from avoidable health problems doesn’t always call for drastic measures; sometimes, it requires only mindful habits.
Stop the prolonged toilet sittings and keep those smartphones out — the health benefits are well worth it.