A groundbreaking study from researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), affiliated with Harvard Medical School, has revealed a startling connection between prolonged smartphone use on the toilet and an increased risk of hemorrhoids. Published in PLOS One on September 3, 2025, the research shows that individuals who scroll through their phones while seated on the toilet face a 46% higher odds of developing this common yet painful condition. With smartphones now ubiquitous in daily routines, this finding underscores a modern habit's unintended health consequences, prompting experts to advise leaving devices outside the bathroom.

Hemorrhoids, or piles, affect millions in the United States, with self-reported incidence reaching about 10 million cases annually, or roughly 4.4% of the population. By age 50, nearly half of Americans experience them at some point. Symptoms include itching, pain, bleeding during bowel movements, and discomfort that can significantly impact quality of life. The BIDMC study, involving 125 adults undergoing screening colonoscopies, highlights how everyday behaviors like toilet phone use contribute to this prevalence.

🔬 The BIDMC Study: Methods and Design

The cross-sectional study recruited patients at BIDMC between August and December 2024. Participants completed detailed surveys on demographics, smartphone habits on the toilet, fiber intake, physical activity via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Rome IV criteria for gastrointestinal symptoms like straining. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed for hemorrhoid presence, with a sensitivity analysis where two blinded endoscopists rated images from rectal retroflexion, showing good interrater reliability (Cohen's kappa 0.62).

Of the 125 respondents (mean age around 58), 43% had endoscopically confirmed hemorrhoids. Notably, 66% admitted to using smartphones on the toilet, primarily for news (54%) or social media (44%). These users were younger (55 vs 62 years) and spent far longer seated: 37% over 5 minutes per session versus 7% of non-users (p=0.006).

Key Findings: 46% Increased Risk After Adjustments

Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI, exercise, straining, and fiber intake revealed smartphone use independently linked to a 46% higher hemorrhoid risk (p=0.044). Straining showed no difference between groups and wasn't predictive. Smartphone users also exercised less weekly (p=0.017), hinting at broader sedentary patterns.

• Smartphone users: 37.3% >5 min/toilet visit
• Non-users: 7.1% >5 min/toilet visit
• Overall hemorrhoid prevalence: 43%
• Adjusted OR for hemorrhoids with phone use: 1.46

These results build on a 1989 Lancet study linking newspaper reading on the toilet to hemorrhoids, updating it for the digital age.

Physiological Mechanisms Behind the Risk

Standard toilets lack pelvic floor support unlike chairs, prolonging sitting increases hydrostatic pressure on rectal veins. Hemorrhoidal cushions—vascular structures aiding continence—engorge under sustained pressure, leading to inflammation and swelling. Phones distort time perception, turning quick visits into extended sessions without constipation differences, per the study.

Dr. Trisha Pasricha, senior author and BIDMC gastroenterologist, notes in the center's release: "Smartphone users were five times more likely to spend more than five minutes on the toilet... the phone itself is driving the behavior." Harvard Medical School's affiliation emphasizes rigorous methodology confirming this link.

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Beyond Hemorrhoids: Rectal Prolapse and Other Complications

While the BIDMC study focuses on hemorrhoids, prolonged toilet sitting raises concerns for rectal prolapse, where the rectum protrudes through the anus. Case reports, like a 2025 Chinese incident of a man with 13 cm prolapse after 2 hours of phone videos, and a 2018 case after 30 minutes gaming, illustrate extremes. Prolonged straining weakens pelvic floor muscles, a known prolapse risk factor (incidence 2.5/100,000 annually, rising post-50).

Other risks include pelvic floor dysfunction, anal fissures, and diverticular disease from chronic pressure. NYT references BIDMC work noting prolapse potential from extended sitting/straining. US stats: Prolapse more common in women post-childbirth, but men with constipation histories at risk.

US Toilet Habits: Widespread Phone Scrolling

Surveys reveal 75% of Americans use phones in bathrooms, with 80% of men admitting it. Annually, that's 49 hours per person on the toilet phone. BIDMC's 66% aligns, mostly younger adults. Sedentary links: Phone users exercise less, compounding venous stasis.

Healthcare burden: Hemorrhoids cost billions yearly; 3.5M physician visits, 316K hospitalizations. Prevention could ease this.

Expert Insights and Broader Perspectives

Dr. Pasricha: "We all tell patients not to spend longer than a couple minutes... data is sparse." BIDMC article stresses normalizing gut talks. Gastroenterologists like Dr. Reezwana Chowdhury (unaffiliated) note rectal pain rise.

Multi-perspective: Younger demographics drive habits; men trend longer sits. Harvard's role positions this as academic research advancing public health.

Prevention Strategies: Actionable Advice

• Leave phone outside bathroom.
• Limit sits to 5 minutes.
• Increase fiber (25-30g/day): fruits, veggies, whole grains.
• Exercise regularly: 150 min/week moderate activity.
• Stay hydrated; avoid straining.
• Squatty Potty for better posture.

For symptoms, see providers; treatments range from creams to surgery. Higher ed career advice for medical pros

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

Study Limitations and Future Outlook

Cross-sectional design limits causation; self-reports bias possible; colonoscopy patients (age 45+) not general population. No prolapse data; future longitudinal studies needed. Broader surveys, interventions like phone-free bathrooms promising.

Implications: Public campaigns, medical education on habits. As Harvard-linked research, it influences curricula.

Public Health Implications and Call to Action

This BIDMC study spotlights tech's hidden toll on gut health amid rising sedentary lifestyles. Reducing toilet phone time simple yet effective. For aspiring medical researchers, explore research jobs, rate professors, or career advice. Prioritize health—put down the phone.