Set a two TikTok toilet limit to reduce haemorrhoid risk, doctors advise

By Admin

04 Sep, 2025

Scrolling endlessly on your phone while sitting on the toilet may seem harmless, but doctors are warning that this modern-day habit could be putting your health at risk. A recent study has found that people who take their mobile phones to the lavatory are significantly more prone to developing haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, compared to those who go phoneless.

Phones and Piles: The Hidden Connection

The research, published in Plos One, revealed that toilet scrollers tend to spend much longer on the toilet than those without devices. This extended sitting time increases the likelihood of haemorrhoids bulging anal veins caused by prolonged pressure on anal tissues.

Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, explains: “Leave your smartphone outside because when you go in you have just one job, and you should focus on that job. If the magic hasn’t happened within five minutes, you should get up and go. Take a breather and come back.”

What the Study Found

The study examined 125 people aged 45 and older during colonoscopies for bowel cancer screening. Participants also filled out questionnaires about their diet, exercise, and bowel habits. Importantly, the survey included questions on mobile phone use in the bathroom.

• Two-thirds of participants admitted to taking a phone to the toilet.
  
  

• Toilet scrollers were 46% more likely to have haemorrhoids than non-scrollers.
  
  

• More than a third (37%) of toilet scrollers spent over five minutes in the lavatory, compared with only 7% of non-scrollers.
  
  

While reading in the bathroom is nothing new, Pasricha points out that scrolling on apps like TikTok and Instagram is far more distracting than flipping through a newspaper or book. “The whole business model of these apps is to make you lose track of time,” she said.

A Growing Concern for Younger Generations

The issue may not be limited to middle-aged and older adults. In an ongoing study of college students, Pasricha and her colleagues found that nearly all admitted to taking their phones to the toilet. This raises concerns that younger people may begin developing haemorrhoids earlier than previous generations.

Haemorrhoids affect up to a quarter of all adults. While many cases resolve on their own, more than 20,000 surgical procedures are performed each year in the UK alone.

The Two TikTok Rule

For those who simply can’t imagine going phoneless in the bathroom, doctors recommend setting limits. Pasricha suggests a simple rule: stick to a “two TikTok limit.” This helps reduce the amount of time spent on the toilet, lowering the risk of haemorrhoids and encouraging healthier bowel habits.

“Don’t get so trapped in scrolling that you forget why you went in there in the first place,” Pasricha advises.

Final Word

Your bathroom routine may need a digital detox. Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, or endless news feeds, the lure of the scroll can quietly impact your health. Keeping your phone out of reach or at least limiting screen time while on the toilet could save you from unnecessary discomfort down the line.