Smartphone Use in the Bathroom Linked to Increased Hemorrhoid Risk, Study Finds
BOSTON – A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston reveals a meaningful correlation between smartphone use during bathroom visits and an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids. The research, published in PLOS One, found that individuals who use their smartphones while on the toilet are 46% more likely to suffer from the painful condition.
Researchers surveyed 125 adults undergoing routine colonoscopies between august 1 and December 15, 2024, gathering data on age, gender, body mass index, physical activity, dietary habits, and frequency/duration of smartphone use in the bathroom. The survey data was then analyzed alongside the colonoscopy results.
The study showed that 66% of participants admitted to using their smartphones while on the toilet, with “reading news and wandering on social media” cited as the most common activities.
Hemorrhoids, characterized by inflammation, expansion, and swelling of vessels in the anus and rectum, are the third most common gastrointestinal disease, resulting in approximately 4 million polyclinic and emergency service visits annually. The condition carries a considerable economic burden, costing the US healthcare system over $800 million each year. Contributing factors include constipation, a diet low in fiber, prolonged sitting, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and pregnancy.
Experts recommend limiting time spent on the toilet to no more than five minutes.
