PLoS One

Scrolling on the toilet tied to hemorrhoid risk, study finds

September 8, 2025

Study details: A cross-sectional study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center surveyed 125 adults undergoing screening colonoscopy. Participants reported bathroom habits, including smartphone use, physical activity, fiber intake, and bowel function (via Rome IV criteria). Hemorrhoids were confirmed endoscopically and independently rated by two blinded reviewers. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for confounders (e.g., age, sex, BMI, exercise, straining, fiber intake).

Results: Smartphone use on the toilet was reported by 66% of participants and was associated with significantly longer toilet times (37.3% of users spent >5 minutes per visit vs. 7.1% of non-users, p=0.006). Hemorrhoids were visualized in 43% of all participants. After adjustment for confounders, smartphone use on the toilet was associated with a 46% increased risk of hemorrhoids (p=0.044).

Clinical impact: Prolonged toilet sitting, often driven by smartphone distraction, may be a modifiable risk factor for hemorrhoids. Consider advising patients to limit toilet time and avoid phone use during bowel movements, especially in those with recurrent or symptomatic hemorrhoids.

Source:

Ramprasad C, et al. (2025, September 3). PLoS One. Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40901789/