Health experts are now cautioning that excessive time spent on the toilet can result in significant health issues. Many individuals take their phones into the bathroom, transforming what should be a brief visit into an extended period of phone usage. According to Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, prolonged sitting on the toilet can elevate pressure on the veins and blood vessels around the anus, which may lead to hemorrhoids.
“When patients come to me with concerns, one of the key areas we need to explore is the amount of time they spend on the toilet,”
Xue stated that individuals should limit their time on the toilet to no more than five to ten minutes. Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor of medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook Medicine, emphasized that prolonged sitting can elevate pressure in the pelvic area, leading to issues like weakened anal muscles and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Xue noted that the open, oval-shaped toilet seat compresses the buttocks, lowering the position of the rectum. This downward pull from gravity hinders blood circulation, raising the risk of hemorrhoids. “It creates a one-way valve where blood can enter, but struggles to flow back out,” Xue added.
Many individuals, distracted by their phones, may spend too much time on the toilet, inadvertently straining their muscles and weakening the pelvic floor. Monzur pointed out that this could heighten the risk of rectal prolapse, a condition where a portion of the large intestine descends and protrudes from the anus. Additionally, the American Cancer Society recently reported a rise in colorectal cancer rates among those under 55.
