Almost everyone has hemorrhoids; they're normal cushions of blood vessels in the anal canal. They become a problem when they swell, bleed or bulge out. Most of the time, a few changes in bathroom habits make a real difference.
Put the phone down
A 2025 study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that people who used a smartphone on the toilet had a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids than people who didn't, even after accounting for age, fiber and exercise. Phone users were also far more likely to sit for more than 5 minutes. It was a small study (125 adults), but the advice is easy: leave the phone outside and get up after about 5 minutes, whether or not you're done.
Habits that help
- Fiber: aim for 25 to 30 grams a day from food, or add psyllium. Increase slowly to avoid gas.
- Water: fiber works best with plenty of fluids, especially in Florida heat.
- Go when you feel the urge, and don't push to force it.
- A footstool (like a Squatty Potty) raises your knees and puts you in a more natural squat. The evidence is modest, but it's cheap and many people find it easier to go.
- For flare-ups: warm sitz baths for 10 to 15 minutes, witch hazel pads, and an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream for a few days.
Don't assume bleeding is "just hemorrhoids"
Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bright red blood on the paper. But polyps and colon cancer can look the same, and colon cancer is rising in adults under 50. See a doctor if bleeding keeps happening, if you're 45 or older and not up to date on screening, or if you also have low iron, a change in bowel habits or weight loss. A sudden, very painful lump near the anus may be a clot (thrombosed hemorrhoid); it's worth being seen within a day or two. See also blood in the stool: when to worry.
When home care isn't enough
For internal hemorrhoids that keep bleeding or bulging, rubber band ligation is a quick office procedure that works for most people. Read more about hemorrhoid banding.
— Brian Frank, MD
Questions? Call (813) 400-0543 or send a message.
Board-certified gastroenterologist (ABIM). Published November 3, 2026.
Source: Ramprasad et al., Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids, PLOS One 2025. This page is general information, not medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.