People often bring their mobile devices into the restroom in Germany.

In a recent study conducted by a team around Trisha Pasricha from Harvard Medical School in Boston, a connection between using a smartphone on the toilet and the risk of developing enlarged hemorrhoids has been suggested.

The study, published in the journal "PLOS One", included 125 adults, of whom 43% were found to have hemorrhoids using colonoscopy. A notable finding was that 66% of participants used their smartphone on the toilet, with 37% spending more than five minutes per visit compared to only 7% of non-users.

This prolonged sitting on the toilet can have unpleasant consequences, including the development of enlarged hemorrhoids. This is due to sustained increased pressure on blood vessels in the anal area and the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Spending more time on the toilet than planned is a concern for some experts due to its potential health implications. Social networks, weather, games, and dating apps are commonly used on the toilet, leading to time passing more quickly than planned for nearly half of users (48%).

In Germany, the trend of smartphone use while on the toilet is prevalent, especially among younger adults. According to a YouGov survey, 80% of 25- to 34-year-olds use their smartphones while sitting on the toilet, with an average of 54% of adults doing so. Men are slightly more likely to use their phones on the toilet, with 58% of men and 49% of women admitting to the practice.

However, the study has been criticised for its methodological weakness by some experts, with Ulrich Tappe, a gastroenterologist, suggesting a long-term study is needed for a more definitive conclusion.

To mitigate the risk, Pasricha recommends leaving smartphones outside the bathroom and setting a timer while using the toilet. Markus Egert of Furtwangen University also emphasises the importance of cleaning phones after toilet use, as the phone's flora mirrors the owner's hand flora. For those who find it hard to give up the toilet as a short break retreat, experts suggest sitting on the closed toilet seat.

Hemorrhoids are blood cushions sitting in front of the anus that can cause pain, itching, and bleeding. The cause of permanently enlarged hemorrhoids is often constipation due to factors such as lack of exercise, low-fiber diet, and overweight. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting on the toilet can help reduce the risk of developing enlarged hemorrhoids.