New study links smartphone use on the toilet to rising haemorrhoid cases

A new study has found that using a phone while on the toilet raises the risk of developing haemorrhoids by 46 per cent. Haemorrhoids, also called piles, occur when veins in the lower rectum or around the anus become swollen and inflamed.

They are usually caused by increased pressure in the anal region, which can result from straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting—especially on the toilet—chronic constipation or diarrhoea, obesity, or pregnancy.

Internal haemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and may go unnoticed unless they bleed or protrude, while external haemorrhoids form just beneath the skin around the anus and are often more painful.

Not life-threatening

Although not life-threatening, untreated haemorrhoids can lead to complications such as persistent pain, frequent bleeding, and, in severe cases, anaemia due to chronic blood loss.

The new research, published in PLOS One by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, reveals a surprising connection between smartphones and haemorrhoid risk.

According to the study, people who use their phones in the bathroom face a 46 per cent higher chance of developing haemorrhoids compared to those who don’t. The key factor is not straining, but the extra time spent sitting on the toilet while scrolling.

Data showed that 37 per cent of smartphone users stayed on the toilet for more than five minutes, compared to only 7 per cent of non-users.

This extended sitting exerts continuous pressure on the rectal veins, causing swelling and inflammation. Most participants admitted they used their phones in the bathroom to read news or browse social media—habits that often prolong toilet visits unnecessarily.

Main risk factor

What makes this finding significant is that straining has long been considered the main risk factor. However, the research suggests that sitting too long—especially while distracted—may be just as harmful, if not more.

Another study, published in the Turkish Journal of Colorectal Disease, also found a strong link between smartphone use on the toilet and haemorrhoids.

Researchers compared patients diagnosed with haemorrhoids to a control group without symptoms. They discovered that 36.4 per cent of those with haemorrhoids reported using their phones for more than two minutes per visit, compared to just 13.2 per cent in the control group.

While the researchers did not claim causation, they noted a clear behavioural connection. The extended sitting time caused by scrolling, reading, or watching videos increases venous pressure in the rectal area, which in turn heightens the risk of swollen, inflamed veins.

This insight is particularly relevant in today’s digital era, where bathroom phone use has become normalised. For health professionals, it highlights the need for public awareness about the risks of prolonged toilet sitting—even in the absence of straining.