Doctors are warning that spending more than 10 minutes sitting on the toilet could harm health.
This warning is especially relevant to those who often take their phones to the bathroom, as screen time can extend toilet visits far longer than necessary.
Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, explains that prolonged sitting on the toilet can increase pressure on the veins around the anus, potentially leading to haemorrhoids.
“Extended time on the toilet is a common factor we examine when patients report related complaints,” Xue stated.
Dr. Farah Monzur, director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook Medicine, recommends limiting time on the toilet to five to 10 minutes. She explains that sitting too long can lead to weakened anal muscles, pelvic floor dysfunction, and increased pressure in the pelvic area.
Xue adds that the toilet’s open design compresses the buttocks and lowers the rectum, restricting blood flow. This positioning can create a “one-way valve” effect, where blood flows in but struggles to return, raising the risk of haemorrhoids.
To avoid these risks, Monzur suggests making the bathroom a phone-free space, while Xue advises standing up after 10 minutes if no bowel movement occurs.
Experts also caution that chronic bathroom difficulties could signal underlying gastrointestinal conditions, such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, or even colorectal cancer.
