Health experts warn that spending too much time on the toilet can cause serious health issues, such as hemorrhoids and weakened pelvic muscles. Bringing phones into the bathroom often turns a quick break into 15 minutes or more of scrolling or reading. While it may seem harmless, doctors recommend limiting toilet time to 10 minutes at most, according to CNN.
Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, noted a trend in patients with bathroom-related health concerns. “When patients report issues, a key factor we need to investigate is extended toilet time,” Dr. Xue told CNN.
Experts Advise Limiting Toilet Time to 10 Minutes to Avoid Health Risks
The sitting posture on a toilet puts the body at a disadvantage.Dr. Xue explained that while gravity keeps us grounded, it also makes the body work harder to pump blood back to the heart. The oval shape of the toilet seat positions the rectum lower than it would be on a regular chair. This increases strain on the pelvic floor. The added stress may lead to conditions like rectal prolapse, where part of the intestine shifts out of place.
As quoted by CNN, Dr. Lai Xue explained that extended toilet sitting creates a “one-way valve” effect, where blood flows into the area but struggles to flow back out. This can cause swollen blood vessels and raise the risk of hemorrhoids. Prolonged sitting also promotes straining, worsening the issue.
Dr. Farah Monzur, an assistant professor and director at Stony Brook Medicine, New York, encourages a quick approach to bathroom visits. She told CNN, “People often lose track of time when they’re on their phones in the bathroom.” This habit, she noted, can unintentionally lead to straining and extra pressure on pelvic muscles.
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Experts recommend limiting bathroom time and eliminating distractions. Dr. Lance Uradomo, an interventional gastroenterologist at City of Hope Orange County, California, suggested keeping phones, books, and magazines out of the bathroom. “Don’t go in expecting to stay a while. Make sitting on the toilet as unengaging as possible,” Monzur advised.
Dr. Xue recommends leaving the toilet after 10 minutes for those with irregular bowel movements. He suggests gentle exercise, good hydration, and a fiber-rich diet to help support natural regularity without straining. Spending long periods in the bathroom could indicate underlying health issues. Chronic constipation and prolonged bathroom sessions may signal gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease. In severe cases, worsening constipation may even point to colon cancer.
Dr. Uradomo explained that a growth within the colon can obstruct stool flow, leading to constipation and bleeding. Dr. Monzur added that if constipation or prolonged bathroom sessions continue for more than three weeks, it’s advisable to seek medical advice.
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