Why doctors raise the alarm and warn you should never sit on the toilet with your phone

It’s a habit almost everyone is guilty of — taking your phone to the bathroom. But according to one gastroenterologist, it’s also something you should never do. When asked by Dr. Zion Ko Lamm on Instagram about the one thing he avoids, his answer was clear: “Never sit on the toilet with the phone.”



Why experts warn against sitting too long



According to 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, people should spend an average of five to 10 minutes on the toilet.



The main problem comes down to physics. Dr. Lai Xue told CNN: “Gravity keeps us grounded on Earth, but that same gravity also forces the body to work harder to pump blood back up to the heart.”



The toilet seat itself plays a role. The oval shape compresses the buttocks and keeps the rectum in a lower position than sitting on a couch. With gravity pulling the lower body down, circulation slows. This enlarges and engorges the veins around the anus and rectum, raising the risk of hemorrhoids.




The dangers of straining



It’s not only the sitting but also the straining that does harm. Dr. Monzur told CNN: “People scrolling on their phones on the toilet tend to lose track of time, sitting and straining their muscles to get a bowel movement out.”



Forced straining adds pressure, allowing hemorrhoids to build. Beyond that, sitting too long can increase the risk of rectal prolapse — when part of the rectum slips down and bulges out of the anus.



Pelvic floor weakness



The pelvic floor muscles, which coordinate bowel movements, also take a hit. Xue explained “The pelvic floor muscles coordinate a significant amount of bowel movement and work with the rest of the body to ensure stool comes out smoothly.”



Long bathroom sessions mean these muscles face ongoing gravitational strain, which can weaken them over time.




When long bathroom times signal something more



Sometimes, lingering on the toilet is not just a bad habit but a warning sign. Ongoing constipation or discomfort can point to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease.



Dr. Uradomo, gastroenterologist, explained: “If a growth inside the colon grows big enough, it can block the flow of your stool, which can cause constipation and bleeding.”



This means the need to sit for unusually long periods may signal colorectal cancer and should not be ignored.



Using the toilet as a place to scroll might seem harmless, but the risks are real — from hemorrhoids to rectal prolapse to weakened pelvic muscles. The message from gastroenterologists is simple: answer nature’s call, don’t overstay, and put the phone away.



As Dr. Zion Ko Lamm’s gastroenterologist guest summed it up: “Never sit on the toilet with the phone… five minutes in and out.”