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Taking your smartphone inside the toilet and using it as a digital escape from your busy lifestyles could be silently causing you multiple health risks.
One of the biggest risks of regularly using your phone in the toilet is developing haemorrhoids or piles. (Representative Image: Instagram)
Using your phone in the washroom might seem like a harmless way to unwind during a busy day, but research suggests it could carry hidden health risks. If you’re experiencing digestive issues or discomfort in the anal or pelvic areas, it’s worth reconsidering whether your daily bathroom routine includes scrolling through social media or personal messages. Here are seven health conditions that serve as warning signs against using your phone while on the toilet.
Hemorrhoids
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One of the biggest risks of regularly using your phone in the toilet is developing haemorrhoids or piles. A recent study by the Public Library of Science (PLOS) in the USA found that 66 per cent of participants admitted to using their smartphones during toilet breaks. Doctors observed a 46 per cent higher risk of developing piles among those who used their phones in the bathroom, regardless of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), fibre intake, or exercise habits. The condition arises from prolonged stress on the pelvic floor or perineum, which affects the anal veins and can lead to swelling, pain, bleeding, and itching.
Constipation
Using your phone in the toilet can distract your body from naturally developing the necessary bowel pressure. Spending longer than usual on the toilet and ignoring timely urges due to a distracted mind can lead to constipation and irregular bowel movements. Don’t let your gut’s natural rhythms suffer because of your phone.
Anal Fissures
Dealing with constipation for a long time raises the risk of experiencing anal fissures, which are small tears in the skin near the anus and can be noticed through symptoms like discomfort and pain felt during bowel movements. Prolonged sitting in the toilet due to phone distraction may contribute to the condition.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Your pelvic floor is a vital part of the body, supporting bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. Sitting for extended periods on an open toilet seat without proper support to the perineum can weaken these muscles and may lead to pelvic floor dysfunction over time.
Urinary Tract Problems
Toilet flushes create aerosols or tiny droplets, which are home to germs and bacteria. When you take the phone inside, these bacteria may settle on the surface of the phone and ultimately lead to bacterial transmission through our hands.
Skin Issues
Touching your skin after handling a bacteria-contaminated phone can lead to irritation, rashes, and infections over time. For those with eczema or dermatitis, this contact may worsen symptoms. Studies even refer to phone surfaces as reservoirs for bacteria.
Posture Strain
Leaning forward or looking down at your phone while sitting on the toilet for extended periods puts unnecessary strain on your back, neck, and hip joints. Over time, this can affect posture, causing lower back stress and muscle stiffness.
About the Author
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More
September 17, 2025, 09:43 IST
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Author: News18
