The 5-Minute Rule: Why Your 'Toilet Scroll' Is Increasing Your Haemorrhoid Risk By 46%

The claim

It has been reported that a Reddit thread on r/technology is lighting up with a startling stat: spending more than five minutes on the toilet while scrolling your phone is linked to a 46% higher risk of haemorrhoids. The post — a classic internet cocktail of fear and finger-scrolling — has been shared widely, and users allege the figure comes from medical research. Treat that last part with caution: the Reddit thread doesn’t read like a peer-reviewed paper, and the causal link between doomscrolling and damaged tissue is far from established.

Why people are worried

Still — there’s a grain of plausibility. Sitting for prolonged periods, especially straining or holding awkward posture, can increase pressure in the pelvic floor and anal veins. So the logic is simple and relatable: more minutes on the throne equals more stress on delicate veins. Sound dramatic? Maybe. But it’s also exactly the kind of everyday habit that can quietly compound over years.

What experts say (and what you can do)

Medical professionals often warn that constipation, chronic straining and extended sitting during bowel movements can contribute to haemorrhoids. That doesn’t mean every five-minute scroll session will cause immediate damage, but it’s sensible to be cautious. Practical fixes are low-effort: put your phone away in the bathroom, don’t read into eternity, keep fiber and hydration up, and see a clinician if you notice bleeding or pain. And perhaps set a humble little timer — five minutes is plenty.

So — guilty as charged? Millions of us habitually take our phones to the loo. Is this reason enough to change? Allegedly, yes; but until the claim lands in a proper study and not just a heated Reddit thread, consider it a useful reminder rather than a verdict. Time to break up with the throne.

Sources: reddit