A claim has been circulating online that using your phone for an extra five minutes while sitting on the toilet increases the risk of developing hemorrhoids by 46%.
The figure comes from a new study published in PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed open access published by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) in September 2025 by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard-affiliated hospital. The study examined 125 adults undergoing colonoscopies and found that 66% of them reported using their smartphones while on the toilet. Among these smartphone users, 37.3% said they spent more than five minutes per toilet visit — compared to only 7.1% of those who did not use phones. After adjusting for other factors such as age, body mass index, fibre intake, exercise, and straining, the researchers found that smartphone users had 46% higher odds of having hemorrhoids than non-users.
The researchers suggest that the link may come down to time. Using a phone tends to prolong toilet sitting, and sitting for extended periods can increase pressure on the anal veins, something known to contribute to hemorrhoid formation. However, the study was designed as an observational study, meaning it found a correlation, not proof that phone use directly causes hemorrhoids. The authors also did not claim that “just five extra minutes” alone raises risk by that exact amount. Instead, the 46% figure reflects the difference in odds between people who habitually use phones on the toilet and those who do not.
The study also had a relatively small sample, with only 125 middle-aged adults in the United States participating, limiting how broadly its findings can be applied. Other well-established risk factors, such as constipation, pregnancy, low-fibre diets, and prolonged straining, still play a far more significant role in hemorrhoid development. In short, while the research supports a possible connection between smartphone use on the toilet and higher hemorrhoid risk, it would be misleading to frame this as proof that an “extra five minutes of scrolling” will greatly increase one’s chances.
Doctors generally agree that the real issue is prolonged sitting, not the phone itself. Experts recommend limiting toilet time to a few minutes, avoiding unnecessary scrolling, and maintaining good bowel habits, which could include a high-fibre diet, adequate hydration, and regular exercise.
We rate the claim as partly true. There is evidence linking smartphone use on the toilet to a higher likelihood of hemorrhoids, but the “46% increase from an extra five minutes” overstates the actual results of the study.
