Smartphone use on toilet can lead to hemorrhoids: Study

Need another reason to scale back on the screen time?

Using your smartphone while you’re on the toilet could increase your chance of developing hemorrhoids, according to a new study.

Researchers behind the study published in PLOS One say those who used smartphones on the toilet were 46% more likely to have hemorrhoids, per people.com .

“We propose that sitting on a standard toilet seat, without any support to the pelvic floor,” such as by a seat or chair, the study authors wrote, “disproportionately increases pressure in the hemorrhoidal cushions. As this pressure persists over time, these cushions may become engorged and thereby develop into appreciable hemorrhoids.”

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside of your rectum or outside of your anus, the Cleveland Clinic explains. They can