Scrolling on the Toilet? This Is What It’s Doing to Your Body | Dr. Mandell

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Video Summary

Scrolling on the toilet could increase your risk of hemorrhoids by almost 50%, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in PLOS 1. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that 66% of adults admitted to using their phones on the toilet, with over a third of those spending more than five minutes. Even after adjusting for factors like age, weight, and straining, phone users still had a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids. The study highlights how prolonged sitting on the toilet, especially with straining, causes venous pressure to build and vascular cushions in the anal canal to swell and weaken, leading to painful hemorrhoids.

The study suggests practical steps to mitigate this risk, including limiting toilet time to two minutes, testing a week without phone use, boosting stool quality with fiber and water, staying active, and using a footstool to improve posture. A simple reminder like a sticky note can also help enforce the two-minute rule. While the study had limitations, the confirmed tissue changes combined with existing knowledge about pressure and venous flow make the message clear: the bathroom is for elimination, not entertainment.

Short Highlights

Using your phone on the toilet increases hemorrhoid risk by nearly 50%.
66% of adults admit to phone use while on the toilet.
Prolonged sitting and straining on the toilet cause hemorrhoids.
Actionable steps to reduce risk include limiting toilet time and increasing fiber intake.

Key Details

The Hemorrhoid Risk of Phone Use on the Toilet [0:00]

Using your phone while on the toilet may increase your risk of hemorrhoids by nearly 50 percent.
A new peer-reviewed study in PLOS 1 by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center investigated this link.
The study involved 125 adults who underwent colonoscopies.

"But what if I told you that scrolling on your phone while you're on the toilet may be silently raising your risk of hemorrhoids by nearly 50 percent?"

Study Findings on Phone Use and Toilet Habits [0:39]

66 percent of participants admitted to using their phone on the toilet.
Of those who used their phones, more than a third sat for longer than five minutes.
Only 7 percent of non-phone users sat for longer than five minutes.

"66 percent admitted to using their phone on the toilet."

Increased Hemorrhoid Risk Despite Adjusted Factors [1:04]

After adjusting for age, body weight, fiber intake, exercise, and straining, the risk of hemorrhoids was still 46 percent higher among phone scrollers.
This suggests a significant, independent risk associated with phone use.

"And when the data was adjusted for age, body weight, fiber intake, exercise, and even straining, the risk of hemorrhoids was still 46 percent higher among the phone scrollers."

The Physiology of Hemorrhoids [1:26]

Hemorrhoids are swollen vascular cushions in the anal canal that normally aid continence.
They develop when venous pressure builds, causing blood to pool, swell, and weaken these cushions.
Prolonged sitting on a toilet seat causes the pelvic floor to drop, increasing pressure on rectal veins.

"They're actually normal vascular cushions in the anal canal that help us stay continent."

The Balloon Analogy for Toilet Sitting [1:56]

Sitting on a toilet seat, compared to a regular chair, puts more downward pressure on rectal veins.
The longer one sits, the more these veins stretch, akin to a balloon being overinflated.
Straining exacerbates this effect, like adding more air to the balloon, leading to weakening and bulging.

"If you sit on a chair, the pelvic floor is supported, but on a toilet seat, the pelvic floor drops and gravity pulls straight down on those veins."

Straining vs. Prolonged Sitting [2:29]

The new study indicated that simply sitting for too long was a more significant predictor of hemorrhoids than straining alone.
This emphasizes the importance of limiting overall time spent on the toilet.

"But what this new study showed is that straining alone wasn't as big as a predictor of simply sitting there too long."

Recommended Action Steps to Protect Yourself [2:52]

Limit toilet time: Aim for a two-minute rule.
Test without your phone: Notice improved efficiency and comfort.
Boost stool quality: Increase fiber intake (e.g., kiwi, psyllium husks) and drink plenty of water to avoid straining.
Stay active: Regular exercise keeps the colon moving.
Use a footstool: Elevating your legs can improve posture and reduce pressure on veins.

"Number one, limit your toilet time and use a two-minute rule."

The Power of Simple Reminders [3:37]

A sticky note on the bathroom mirror stating "two minutes max" can serve as a helpful reminder.
Simple behavioral cues can be effective in changing habits.

"And here's a bonus awareness trick. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that says two minutes max because sometimes a simple reminder can change a habit."

Study Limitations and Clear Message [3:51]

The study was observational and relied on self-reported phone use.
However, colonoscopy confirmed real tissue changes, lending credibility to the findings.
Combined with existing knowledge, the message is clear: the bathroom is for elimination, not entertainment.

"Now, yes, the study had some limitations. It was observational and based on self-reports of phone use, but the colonoscopies confirmed real tissue changes."

Long-Term Health Implications [4:17]

Making small changes today can prevent significant suffering tomorrow.
Repeated daily choices shape overall health.
The risk of a lifetime of hemorrhoids outweighs the fleeting satisfaction of social media likes.

"And the next time you're tempted to scroll on the toilet, remind yourself that a few likes are not worth a lifetime of hemorrhoids."