Scrolling through social media while on the toilet isn't just a time-waster—it could be creating a painful medical problem. Groundbreaking research from Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reveals that people who use smartphones on the toilet face a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids compared to those who leave their devices outside the bathroom.
The Time Factor: Minutes That Matter
The culprit isn't what you might expect. It's not about straining or constipation—it's about time. The study found dramatic differences in bathroom duration:
- 37% of smartphone users spend over 5 minutes per toilet visit
- Only 7% of non-smartphone users spend that long
- Some phone users reported staying 15+ minutes per session
When you're absorbed in your phone, you lose track of time. Unlike sitting in a supportive chair, perching on a toilet seat for extended periods creates sustained pressure on hemorrhoidal blood vessels without any pelvic support underneath.
What the Research Revealed
Scientists surveyed 125 adults undergoing routine colonoscopy screenings and discovered telling patterns:
Smartphone Users Were:
- Younger (average age 55.4 vs 62.1 years)
- Less physically active
- More likely to have hemorrhoids (43% of all participants had them)
- Often unaware of their extended toilet time
Most Popular Phone Activities:
- Reading news (54%)
- Social media browsing (44%)
- Gaming and video watching
Surprisingly, 66% of participants admitted to bathroom phone use, with 93% of users doing it at least weekly and 55% using phones "most of the time" during bathroom visits.
Challenging Medical Assumptions
This research upends traditional thinking about hemorrhoid causes. For decades, doctors blamed straining and constipation, but the study found no significant differences in these factors between phone users and non-users. Instead, the data points clearly to prolonged sitting time as the primary risk factor.
The researchers explained that toilet seats create unique pressure conditions: "Sitting on a standard toilet seat, without any support to the pelvic floor, disproportionately increases pressure in the hemorrhoidal cushions."
The Broader Health Picture
The findings connect to wider concerns about smartphone dependency. Phone users in the study exercised less, and excessive smartphone use has been linked to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and cardiovascular disease. A 2024 study of over 440,000 people found associations between heavy phone use and increased heart disease risk.
What Doctors Recommend
For Healthcare Providers:
- Ask patients about bathroom technology habits
- Include smartphone use in lifestyle assessments
- Consider toilet time as a hemorrhoid risk factor
For Everyone:
- Limit toilet phone use to under 5 minutes
- Keep phones outside the bathroom entirely
- Use bathroom timers if needed
- Increase awareness of actual time spent
The Bottom Line
Hemorrhoids affect millions of Americans annually, accounting for nearly 4 million medical visits and over $800 million in healthcare costs. If your phone is your bathroom companion, you might want to reconsider that habit.
As the researchers noted, smartphones provide "passive engagement" that makes time disappear through endless social feeds and articles. Unlike reading a newspaper with a clear endpoint, phone content can continue indefinitely.
The solution is simple: leave your phone outside the bathroom. Your device will stay cleaner, and you might avoid an awkward conversation with your doctor about a very preventable problem.
Study Details
Published: September 3, 2025, in PLOS One
Lead Researcher: Dr. Chethan Ramprasad
Senior Author: Dr. Trisha Pasricha, Harvard Medical School
Participants: 125 adults aged 45+ undergoing colonoscopy screening
Study Period: January-December 2024
Funding: AGA Research Foundation Research Scholar Award
Note: This research shows association, not causation, between smartphone use and hemorrhoid risk. Consult healthcare providers for medical concerns.