Reasons to Stop Using Your Smartphone in the Toilet ─ Sitting for Long Periods + Smartphone Use = 46% Increase in Hemorrhoids? Latest Research and Smart Solutions

Reasons to Stop Using Your Smartphone in the Toilet ─ Sitting for Long Periods + Smartphone Use = 46% Increase in Hemorrhoids? Latest Research and Smart Solutions

Introduction: Why "Smartphones in the Toilet" Now?

The Age reported a warning from the latest research titled "Want to Avoid Hemorrhoids? Leave Your Phone Outside the Loo." The main point is simple. Smartphones unconsciously extend toilet stay time. And the story goes that the prolonged stay itself might increase the risk of hemorrhoids. Ground News


Core of the Research: The Content of "46% Higher"

A cross-sectional study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, USA (published in PLOS ONE, September 3, 2025). The study surveyed 125 individuals aged 45 and older about their bowel conditions and toilet habits, and confirmed the presence of hemorrhoids via colonoscopy. The results showed that 66% of people use smartphones in the toilet, and 37% of smartphone users sat for more than 5 minutes, compared to 7% of non-users. Even after adjusting for age, exercise, BMI, dietary fiber, and straining, the smartphone user group had a 46% higher prevalence of hemorrhoids. Notably, the sole impact of "straining" was not confirmed, suggesting that the act of sitting continuously is key. PLOSNew Atlas


BIDMC stated, "The '5-minute rule' is reasonable as clinical advice. It's safer to leave smartphones outside." Media outlets also spread the catchy guideline of "'Two TikToks' and you're out." Video Medical CenterThe Guardian


Why is "Just Sitting Longer" a Problem?

On a Western-style toilet, continuing to sit with weak support of the pelvic floor puts pressure on the venous plexus of the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids are naturally cushions that everyone has, but when congested or swollen, they become symptomatic. Prolonged stays in the toilet can promote this congestion, according to the mechanism. The Guardian and The Washington Post also emphasize that the focus of causation has shifted from "straining" to "duration of stay." The GuardianThe Washington Post


Limitations and Considerations: "Causation" Cannot Be Conclusively Stated Yet

This study has a cross-sectional design, so causation cannot be determined. Self-reported time and the fact that the study is limited to individuals aged 45 and older require caution in generalization. Nonetheless, it is certain that the old yet new insight that **"prolonged stays are not good"** is being reinforced by modern scrolling habits. New Atlas


Reactions on Social Media: Irony, Sympathy, and Toward "Behavioral Change"

On X (formerly Twitter), science accounts calmly introduced the main point of **"46% higher with smartphone use", while media outlets spread it in headlines. There were comments questioning the distinction between correlation and causation, and self-reports like "toilet stay time doubles with a smartphone." On Reddit, threads in r/science and r/technology emerged, and there was a practical consensus (?) of **"wash your hands after doing your business and scroll on the sofa." X (formerly Twitter)Reddit

 



A symbolic phrase was The Guardian's **"Exit in Two TikToks". The idea of using "two short videos as a timer" became a meme, and the discussion expanded to real-life topics like **"how to stop the 'toilet refuge' of the parent generation who want to sit quietly." The Guardian


Snapshot of Reactions

  • "Time melts away with a smartphone. 5 minutes turns into 15" — a self-deprecating post. Reddit

  • "It's correlation, right? People who sit longer just bring in their phones" — skeptics. Reddit

  • "Scroll on the sofa, that's the lesson" — proponents of behavioral guidance. Reddit


Practical Guide: How to Implement the "5-Minute Rule"

1) Leave your smartphone outside the door. Fix a place to put it, and make "not bringing it in" the default. Video Medical Center
2) Wrap it up in 5 minutes. The guideline is 5 to 10 minutes. Use two TikToks/kitchen timer/smart speaker reminders as needed.  The Washington PostThe Guardian
3) Don't strain; if nothing happens, stop for now. If the urge is weak, try again later. PLOS
4) Soften the stool. Dietary fiber (beans, whole grains, fruits, leafy greens) and fluids for smooth bowel movements. The Washington Post
5) Use a footstool for "leaning forward + raising feet." This relaxes the angle of the rectum, making it easier to avoid unnecessary straining. (General advice/adjust for individual symptoms)
6) If bleeding or severe pain persists, seek medical attention. Early evaluation can prevent missing complications like anal fissures, inflammation, or anemia.


Cultural Background: From "Reading" to "Scrolling"

From the 1980s era of "reading newspapers in the toilet" to apps designed to capture attention. The competition for disposable time has begun to affect intestinal health. There have long been voices saying that bringing smartphones into the toilet is not recommended from the perspective of infection and hygiene. Video Medical CenterSBS


Conclusion: The Motto is "Leave the Smartphone, Protect the Anus"

Causation is not yet definitive. Still, **"Don't stay long," "Leave in 5 minutes," and "Keep the smartphone outside" are low-cost lifestyle strategies with potential benefits**. The simple advice reported by The Age is quite reasonable as self-care in the digital age. Ground News


Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If you experience symptoms like bleeding, severe pain, prolapse, or black stools, seek medical attention promptly.



Reference Articles

Want to Avoid Hemorrhoids? Why You Should Leave Your Smartphone Outside the Toilet
Source: https://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/want-to-avoid-haemorrhoids-why-you-should-leave-your-phone-outside-the-loo-20250904-p5msba.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_lifestyle

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