Boston, Massachusetts, USA:  A recent study has highlighted a surprising health concern: spending time on smartphones while using the toilet may raise the risk of developing hemorrhoids.

The research was led by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist and physician-scientist of Indian origin at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. She and her colleagues published their findings in the journal PLOS One on September 4, later discussing the results with the Harvard Gazette.

The team analyzed data from 125 adults who were undergoing routine colonoscopy procedures. Each participant answered detailed questions about toilet routines, smartphone habits, diet, and physical activity. Their responses were then compared with the results from their colonoscopy screenings.

The study revealed several notable trends:

• About two-thirds of the participants admitted they use their phones while on the toilet.
• Using a smartphone in the bathroom was linked to a 46% higher chance of hemorrhoids.
• Those who used phones were five times more likely to sit for over five minutes at a time.
• The habit was more common among younger individuals.
• Smartphone users reported lower levels of weekly physical activity.

Dr. Pasricha noted that the findings update older research. Back in 1989, The Lancet reported a connection between hemorrhoids and reading newspapers on the toilet. “In today’s world, nobody’s sitting with a newspaper in the bathroom, but nearly everyone has a phone. This study reflects how habits have shifted in the TikTok era,” she explained.

According to her, the hidden risk lies in the extended time people spend without realizing it. “Phone users were five times more likely to spend longer than five minutes on the toilet compared to non-users. Interestingly, only half of them recognized that their phone was the reason they stayed longer,” she said.

The study also suggested potential gender-based differences, with men tending to spend more time in the bathroom, though the sample size was too small to confirm it statistically.

Dr. Pasricha stressed that open discussions on digestive health are essential. “If people feel uncomfortable talking about these issues, they may delay seeking help — and that prevents doctors from offering proper care,” she added.