What Really Happens When You Doomscroll on the Toilet

If you’ve ever sat down to “take a quick bathroom break” and somehow ended up scrolling through Instagram Reels or falling into a Reddit rabbit hole, you’re not alone. Doomscrolling on the toilet has become one of those modern habits we all laugh about but rarely question. That changed recently when a viral podcast moment put the spotlight on an unexpected claim: Are smartphones actually giving us more hemorrhoids?

On an episode of “On Purpose with Jay Shetty,” Dr. Alok Kanojia (Dr. K) stated, “Sitting on the toilet with your phone is giving people hemorrhoids.” The internet, unsurprisingly, ran with it. Then a study published in PLOS One suggested that people who use their phones on the toilet may have a 46% higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. That number got everyone’s attention, including ours here at Anything Butt, where we spend our days thinking about all kinds of butthole drama.

But before you panic-delete your screen time apps, experts say the story is more nuanced. According to gastroenterologists, phones aren’t necessarily the culprit. The real issue tends to be how long you’re sitting, especially if scrolling distracts you enough to stay parked on the toilet longer than necessary. Add in a little unconscious pushing or straining, and you’ve got a recipe for irritated veins and uncomfortable days ahead.

So while your phone may not directly cause hemorrhoids, it can absolutely keep you in a position that aggravates them.

At Anything Butt, we believe in talking openly about these totally normal body experiences and giving you tools that help you feel better when things get a little inflamed. Whether you scroll or skip the screen, your butt deserves comfort, care, and relief. And we’re here to support you, one bathroom habit at a time.