Men spend more time on the toilet with smartphones, increasing hemorrhoid risk: US study

Using your phone while on the toilet might be raising your risk for hemorrhoids—those uncomfortable, sometimes painful bumps in the butt area that can make sitting and bathroom trips tough. A new study, published in Plos One, from the US found that people who scroll, read the news, or check social media on their smartphones while on the toilet are about 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids compared to those who don’t bring their phone to the bathroom.

Here’s why: When people use their phones on the toilet, they tend to stay there way longer than those who don’t. In fact, about a third of smartphone users spent over five minutes per bathroom visit, while only a tiny number of non-users did. More time sitting means more pressure on the veins in your bum, which can lead to hemorrhoids. Interestingly, just straining on the toilet wasn’t as closely linked to hemorrhoids as phone use was in this study.

Hemorrhoids are the third most common outpatient gastrointestinal diagnosis with nearly 4 million office and emergency department visits annually in the US and over $800 million annually in healthcare expenditure, the researchers have said. More patients seek medical care for hemorrhoids than for colon cancer, diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Despite this significant burden to our health systems, there is little consensus on identifiable risk factors for development of hemorrhoids, they have added.

According to MayoClinic, a hemorrhoid is a swollen and inflamed vein in the anus or lower rectum, like a varicose vein but located in this area. It can cause symptoms such as pain, itching, bleeding, or swelling when enlarged or irritated. Hemorrhoids can be either internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). Common causes include straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods, pregnancy, aging, or chronic constipation. Though uncomfortable, hemorrhoids are not dangerous and often improve with simple treatments like increasing fiber intake or using soothing creams.

Prolonged sitting and straining increase the pressure on the veins in the lower rectum and anus, which causes hemorrhoids to form. When a person sits for long periods, especially on hard surfaces or a toilet, the veins get compressed, blood flow slows down, and blood pools in these veins, making them swell and lose elasticity. Straining during bowel movements further boosts this pressure, stretching and aggravating the veins until they become engorged, inflamed, and eventually hemorrhoidal. This is why bathroom habits like staying too long or pushing hard put people at higher risk for hemorrhoids.

The most common factors that cause hemorrhoids are straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods (especially on the toilet), chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, and being overweight. Age also increases risk, as tissues supporting rectal veins weaken over time. Eating a low-fiber diet, lifting heavy objects frequently, and even genetics can play a role. All these factors raise pressure in the veins around your anus, leading to swelling and hemorrhoid formation.

The most effective ways to cut the incidence of hemorrhoids at work are to avoid sitting for long periods, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and take regular movement breaks throughout the day. Standing up or walking every hour, using a cushion or donut pillow, and maintaining proper posture greatly reduce pressure on rectal veins, while ergonomic chairs and standing desks can offer extra comfort. Staying hydrated and not delaying bowel movements also help prevent straining and constipation, which are major contributors to hemorrhoids. Combined with regular exercise, these habits can significantly lower hemorrhoid risk for desk job workers.