It may seem harmless to scroll through your phone while sitting on the toilet, but new research suggests the habit could come with consequences. In a study published in PLOS One, adults who used smartphones in the bathroom were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids compared to those who left their devices outside. Hemorrhoids — swollen veins in the rectum or anus — already drive millions of doctor visits each year and cost the U.S. hundreds of millions in healthcare spending.
Researchers evaluated 125 adults undergoing routine colonoscopies and surveyed them about their bathroom habits. Two-thirds reported using a smartphone on the toilet. Those individuals were far more likely to spend longer than five minutes seated — a behavior believed to increase pressure in rectal veins.
After adjusting for age, fiber intake and physical activity, the link between phone use and hemorrhoids remained. Interestingly, straining during bowel movements was not significantly associated with higher risk in this study.
While the research shows correlation rather than direct causation, the takeaway is simple. Modern distractions may be quietly extending the time we remain seated in positions that strain circulation. Health experts involved in the study recommend keeping bathroom visits brief and leaving the smartphone outside. In an era where devices follow us everywhere, this may be one place they don’t belong.
SOURCE:
ScienceDaily, February 23, 2026