It’s your TikTok time. Your moment to read the news. Or, perhaps, your opportunity to catch up on a few emails. Whatever your chosen activity, you probably already know what we’re talking about—it’s your toilet phone time.
In today’s hectic world, that block of time—usually during your morning or evening poop—counts as a break. Nearly 75 percent of Americans admit to scrolling on their phones in the bathroom. While the downtime is relaxing, sitting for too long can become a real pain in the backside. In fact, a new study shows that sitting and scrolling significantly increases your risk of hemorrhoids.
“Of course, your phone doesn’t directly cause you to develop hemorrhoids,” says John Frankel, MD, a colorectal surgeon at The Christ Hospital Physicians-Colon & Rectal Surgery. “But taking it into the bathroom with you can make them much more likely.”
Here’s what Dr. Frankel wants you to know.
Toilet phone time—what’s the harm?
Hemorrhoids—those inflamed or swollen veins that develop in your rectum and around your anus—are common. Most are symptomless, but they can cause bleeding, itching and pain. According to the study, you’re 46 percent more likely to develop them if you use your phone while you’re on the toilet.
But if you’re just sitting there, what’s the issue?
“Hemorrhoids are a problem of pressure. Toilet seats have holes in the middle. So, without any support, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your pelvis,” Dr. Frankel says. “When you have increased pressure inside your colon or abdomen, gravity pushes blood into the hemorrhoids and makes them swell.”
The longer you sit, the more pressure builds up. You’re also more likely to strain to have a bowel movement. That boosts your hemorrhoid risk, as well, and can lead to other problems.
“You probably end up straining a bit more when you sit on the toilet for a prolonged time. That can be dangerous,” he says. “Bearing down weakens the connective tissue in your pelvis, potentially leading to problems like rectal or vaginal prolapse.”
Other health problems
Hemorrhoids aren’t the only result of increased pressure in your colon or abdomen. You can also develop other problems over time, Dr. Frankel says.
“We’re pretty addicted to our phones,” he says. “Taking them into the bathroom is another situation where we’re potentially setting ourselves up for negative impacts.”
Sustained pressure in your pelvic region can lead to:
While they may not see it now, these additional health problems could affect more young people in the long term as they get older. Nearly 95 percent of people between 18 and 29 report using their phone in the bathroom.
Ways to reduce your risk
The easiest way to reduce your hemorrhoid risk—at least partly—is to leave your phone outside the bathroom. Without the distraction, you’re less likely to sit for too long while getting lost in a string of reels or caught up in the comment section of a social media post.
Dr. Frankel says limiting your toilet time can be helpful. He recommends sitting on the toilet for no longer than five minutes at a time. If you can’t go by then, take a break and come back to the bathroom later.
Diet-related strategies can also help you sidestep hemorrhoids.
“Adding more fiber to your diet is the number one treatment for hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, constipation and diarrhea,” Dr. Frankel says. “There’s a simple reason why—fiber decreases pressure inside your colon.”
He also suggests drinking more water and reminding yourself not to strain when you’re on the toilet.
Treatment options
Fortunately, most hemorrhoids are easy to treat and don’t require medical intervention.
“Hemorrhoids, in general, don’t usually need surgical treatment,” Dr. Frankel says. “Usually, if you adopt a high-fiber diet and drink enough water, your symptoms and bowel habits generally improve.”
To reduce inflammation and discomfort, you can also try:
But if these measures fail and you still have pain, bleeding, constipation or diarrhea that won’t improve, you may need surgery, Dr. Frankel says. For hemorrhoids that come back or cause complications like clots, prolapse or strangulation, a hemorrhoidectomy may be your best option. This surgery permanently removes your hemorrhoids.
“A hemorrhoidectomy isn’t a comfortable surgery, and recovery usually requires one to two weeks off of work,” he says. “But if you have one, you experience significant relief once you recover. You will feel far better in the long term.”
If your hemorrhoids are less severe, you may benefit from a different procedure. Colorectal surgeons at The Christ Hospital also offer these minimally invasive treatment options:
Embolization: a procedure that uses coils to shrink hemorrhoids by blocking blood flow
Infrared coagulation: a procedure that uses infrared light to heat and reduce hemorrhoid tissue
Rubber band ligation: a procedure that uses a rubber band to cut off a hemorrhoid’s blood supply, causing it to shrink and fall off
Ultimately, Dr. Frankel says, decreasing the pressure in your colon and abdomen should be your goal. Focus on eating a high-fiber diet and drinking enough water to keep your digestive system moving. And if you want to stack the odds in your favor, leave the phone scrolling to the couch.
Worried about hemorrhoids or having pain when you poop? Schedule an appointment with one of our colon and rectal surgery experts.