Suffer from hemorrhoids? This common habit isn't helping, study suggests

(NEXSTAR) – If you’re sitting on the toilet, maybe put the phone down and continue reading this another time.

The results of a recent study published in the medical journal PLOS One suggest a possible association between smartphone usage on the toilet and the prevalence of hemorrhoids, according to researchers.

The study, co-authored by researchers with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School and the Cleveland Clinic, gathered data from 125 participants who visited Beth Israel Deaconess for colonoscopy screenings in 2024. Participants completed multiple questionnaires concerning their smartphone habits on the toilet, as well as other habits that might affect their bathroom behavior.

Their responses were then compared to “high-quality endoscopic images of retrofl