Study Links Phone Use on Toilet to 46% Higher Hemorrhoid Risk

Adults who bring smartphones into the bathroom were more likely to have hemorrhoids, a study published this week found, with researchers reporting a 46% higher likelihood among people who said they used their phones while sitting on the toilet.

The study, by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and published in PLOS One, analyzed survey responses from 125 adults undergoing colonoscopies. Two-thirds of participants reported taking a phone into the bathroom. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and fiber intake, those who said they used their phones on the toilet were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids than participants who did not.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the rectum and anus that can cause pain, itching and bleeding. They are commonly associated with straining during bowel movements and prolonged sitting on the toilet. The condition affects a large share of older adults in the United States; roughly half of U.S. adults older than 50 experience hemorrhoids at some point, and nearly 4 million Americans seek medical care for the condition each year.

"We’re still uncovering the many ways smartphones and our modern way of life impact our health," said senior study author Dr. Trisha Pasricha of Beth Israel Deaconess, according to a news release accompanying the paper. "It’s possible that how and where we use them — such as while in the bathroom — can have unintended consequences."

The authors said the association could stem from longer toilet-sitting times among people who use phones, increasing pressure on rectal veins. The survey did not quantify the length of toilet sessions or the specific activities performed on phones, and the study did not measure whether participants strained more often when using devices.

Experts not involved with the research cautioned that the study is observational and cannot establish cause and effect. The sample was small and limited to individuals undergoing colonoscopy, which could introduce selection bias because those patients may differ from the general population in bowel-health characteristics. Responses about phone use were self-reported, raising the possibility of recall bias.

Those limitations mean the reported 46% higher likelihood should be interpreted as an association rather than proof that bathroom phone use causes hemorrhoids. Larger, longitudinal studies that directly measure toilet-sitting time, straining and device use would be needed to determine whether the behavior increases risk.

Clinicians and public-health experts say established ways to reduce hemorrhoid symptoms include avoiding prolonged sitting on the toilet, not straining during bowel movements, eating a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated and using stool-softening measures when recommended by a doctor. Patients experiencing persistent pain, bleeding or other concerning symptoms should seek medical evaluation.

The new study adds to a growing body of research examining how ubiquitous smartphone use intersects with health behaviors. The authors called for additional research to clarify the relationship between device use in the bathroom and anorectal conditions and to identify practical steps people can take to reduce potential harms.