Scrolling on the Toilet ? 🚽 Science Says It Might Be a Pain in the Butt—Literally

Your bathroom scrolling habit may come with an unpleasant side effect: hemorrhoids.

A new U.S. study published in PLOS One has confirmed what many doctors long suspected—that whipping out your smartphone while sitting on the toilet could raise your risk of developing hemorrhoids.

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center surveyed 125 adults undergoing colonoscopy screening and found that people who used smartphones in the bathroom were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids compared to those who left their phones outside.

Why? It’s not the act of scrolling itself, but the extra time it keeps you on the toilet. About two-thirds of participants admitted to bathroom phone use, and among them, 37% lingered for more than five minutes, compared with just 7% of non-phone users. Social media, news, and messaging were the top bathroom activities.

Hemorrhoids—swollen veins in the rectal area—are no small issue. In the U.S. alone, they send nearly 4 million people to the doctor or ER each year, costing over $800 million in healthcare. They cause pain, bleeding, and, as anyone who’s had them can confirm, plenty of discomfort.

Interestingly, the study found straining wasn’t a major factor—contradicting older research. Instead, it seems the problem is prolonged sitting itself. The longer you sit, the more pressure builds up in those sensitive veins.

Senior study author Dr. Trisha Pasricha summed it up:

“It’s incredibly easy to lose track of time when we’re scrolling on our smartphones—apps are designed for that. But constantly sitting longer than you intended could increase your risk of hemorrhoids. A safe suggestion is to leave the smartphone outside the bathroom.”

So the next time you’re tempted to check TikTok while doing your business, consider your backside. Your health may thank you.

Bottom line: Keep your toilet breaks short—and your scrolling breaks elsewhere.