Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor of medicine and director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Stony Brook Medicine on Long Island, New York, has advised that people should spend an average of five to 10 minutes on toilet seats.
People often bring their phones into the bathroom, unintentionally turning what should be a quick trip into a prolonged session of scrolling.
Health professionals are now warning that spending excessive time on the toilet can have serious health consequences.
Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, explains that sitting for extended periods on the toilet puts extra pressure on the veins and blood vessels around the anus, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids.
“When patients come to me with concerns, one of the first things we look into is how much time they’re spending on the toilet,” Dr. Xue said.
Prolonged sitting can also contribute to pressure on the pelvic area, potentially leading to complications such as weakened anal muscles and pelvic floor dysfunction. Dr. Xue explains that the open, oval shape of the toilet seat compresses the buttocks, which can lower the rectum’s position. With gravity pulling downward, blood circulation is restricted, increasing the likelihood of hemorrhoids. “It creates a one-way valve effect, where blood can enter but struggles to return,” Xue noted.
Many people, distracted by their phones, end up spending far longer on the toilet than they realise, which can strain their muscles and weaken the pelvic floor. Dr. Monzur points out that this prolonged sitting may even increase the risk of rectal prolapse, a condition where part of the large intestine slips down and protrudes through the anus.
The American Cancer Society has recently reported an uptick in colorectal cancer rates among people under 55, further highlighting the importance of paying attention to bathroom habits.
Dr. Lance Uradomo, an interventional gastroenterologist at City of Hope Orange County, recommends making the bathroom environment as dull as possible to avoid unnecessary distractions.
“You don’t want to go into the bathroom with the expectation that you’ll be there for a long time,” Monzur said.
If a bowel movement hasn’t occurred after 10 minutes, Dr. Xue suggests getting up and walking around to help stimulate the process.
For those who regularly experience discomfort or difficulty when passing stool, experts caution that it could be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease.
Dr. Uradomo adds that persistent symptoms could also indicate a more serious condition, like colorectal cancer, which may cause obstructions in the stool’s passage.
In short, while it might feel harmless to linger in the bathroom with your phone, excessive time spent sitting on the toilet can have significant long-term effects on your health.
