By Lainey Oswalt, Student Pharmacist, and Karen Kier, Pharmacist
ONU Healthwise Pharmacy

A Pew Research Center study found 90% of U.S. adults use smartphones, which translates to 293 million people. This number has more than doubled since 2011. The study recorded a 97% use of smartphones by adults age 18 to 29 years old. The Pew research reported that 15% of adults are smartphone dependent, meaning they do not subscribe to high-speed internet, but rely on their phones.

It is fair to say the use of smartphones is a widespread issue in today's society. As a result of this, people are using their smartphones more frequently while doing a variety of activities.

A trip to the bathroom can quickly turn into 5-10 minutes when you get lost scrolling through the internet or TikTok. A 2024 study found 64% of Gen Z users are dumping Google as their primary search engine and replacing it with TikTok. The Gen Z members were born between 1997 and 2012 and are known as digital natives. This is the first generation to be born into and grow up with smartphones, social media and the internet.

How has this smartphone use put them at risk for hemorrhoids?

A September 2025 study published by the Division of Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston examined the relationship between the development of hemorrhoids to smartphone usage on the toilet. The study included 125 patients, of whom 66% used their smartphones on the toilet.

The study evaluated the time spent on the toilet while using their smartphone. The researchers noted 37% of smartphone users spend more than 5 minutes on the toilet, versus 7.1% of those who do not use their smartphones. The study reported that 43% of all patients included had hemorrhoids visualized by a colonoscopy.

The mean age of the toilet smartphone users was 55.4 years compared to 62.1 years for the toilet smartphone non-users. Of the toilet smartphone users, 54.3% used the time to read the news, while 44.4% used the time for viewing social media.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. The 2 types of hemorrhoids are internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are not painful, but can cause bleeding from the rectum. External hemorrhoids are painful and can also have bleeding associated with them. Bleeding from the rectum is a condition that needs to be evaluated by a physician to determine the cause.

Hemorrhoids are also known as piles and indicate swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. Think of them as the varicose veins of the rectal area.

Several factors can contribute to the development of hemorrhoids, which include older age, obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting, straining on the toilet, and poor diet leading to constipation.

The management of hemorrhoids includes increasing water and fiber intake, improving dietary intake with more fiber, stool softeners, losing weight, exercise, and less straining on the toilet. Over the counter products containing lidocaine, witch hazel, and hydrocortisone can be helpful, with some of these coming as flushable wipes. Other surgical treatment options are available for anyone who has failed these treatments.

The extended period of time spent on the toilet with a smartphone can increase the pressure applied to hemorrhoid cushions, leading to the development of hemorrhoids. Overall, this study showed that using your smartphone in the bathroom can be harmful to your body and is not recommended.

What can you do to reduce the risk of developing hemorrhoids? Do not bring your smartphone to the bathroom with you. Try leaving your phone outside of the bathroom so you are not tempted to use it.

Don't tick tock time away on the toilet!

If you do notice hemorrhoids, contact your pharmacist for an over the counter recommendation.

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