A lot of us are guilty of it😮

A new study has revealed that a common bathroom habit — using your phone while on the toilet — may significantly increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids, or piles, are swollen veins in the anus or rectum that can cause pain, irritation, bleeding, and discomfort when sitting. The Cleveland Clinic lists symptoms such as itchiness, tenderness, hard lumps, and blood when wiping.

While hemorrhoids can be caused by a variety of factors including obesity, low-fiber diets, chronic constipation, or diarrhea, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found that toilet phone use could also play a key role. The study analyzed 125 adults who underwent colonoscopies and completed surveys about their bathroom habits. After adjusting for other factors like exercise and fiber intake, the team discovered that those who used their phones on the toilet had a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids compared to those who did not.

One reason is time. People who scrolled on their phones tended to stay seated much longer — 37% remained on the toilet for over five minutes, compared to just 7.1% of non-phone users. Prolonged sitting puts extra pressure on anal tissues, which can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids.

Senior study author Dr. Trisha Pasricha emphasized that while more research is needed, the evidence supports simple preventative advice: leave the phone outside the bathroom. “We’re still uncovering the many ways smartphones impact health,” she said. “If it takes longer than a few minutes, ask yourself — is the problem really difficulty going, or is my attention elsewhere?”

In short, saving the scrolling for later could spare you a lot of discomfort.