CMC Vellore doctor warns: Scrolling your phone on toilet is linked to a 46% higher risk of haemorrhoids, as per recent study

It’s a habit most people don’t think twice about—scrolling on your phone while sitting on the toilet. For many, it’s the perfect time to catch up on messages, news, or social media. But doctors are now warning that this seemingly harmless practice may come with hidden health risks. A new study has linked toilet phone use with a significantly higher chance of developing haemorrhoids, sparking fresh conversations about how long we spend in the bathroom.

Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar, trained at CMC Vellore, shared the findings on X in a post titled “Smartphones in the Toilet: A Hidden Health Risk You Should Not Ignore.” He explained that prolonged sitting caused by smartphone use increases pressure in the rectal veins, raising the risk of painful haemorrhoids. The distraction, he noted, turns what should be quick visits into extended sessions without us realising it.

The study, published in PLOS One under the title “Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of haemorrhoids,” offered eye-opening statistics. Two out of three adults admit to taking their smartphones into the bathroom. Smartphone users were five times more likely to sit for more than five minutes compared to non-users. Dr Sudhir Kumar stated that after adjusting for diet, activity, and other lifestyle factors, they were found to have a 46% higher risk of haemorrhoids.

What does the study's author say?

Dr. Trisha Pasricha, the study’s senior author and director of the Gut-Brain Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre in Boston, explained on Instagram that her lab’s research linking smartphones and haemorrhoids is something more people need to take seriously. She noted that half of smartphone users end up sitting on the toilet longer than planned because of their smartphones. Her advice was simple: keep the phone outside the bathroom, or set strict limits if you can’t. She further recommended rather to take a light reading material like a magazine instead.


Dr Sudhir Kumar suggested a few simple lifestyle changes to lower the risk of haemorrhoids. He advised keeping toilet time short—ideally under five minutes—along with following a high-fibre diet, staying well hydrated, and exercising regularly.

In response to his post, one person noted that using a smartphone in the toilet could increase bacteria and viruses on the device, making it a potential reservoir of harmful germs. Dr Kumar agreed with this point. Another user argued that phones were unfairly blamed in such discussions and that the real issue was the unnatural practice of sitting on a commode. Dr Kumar clarified that the main concern with phones was that they encourage people to spend more time sitting in the toilet.