This 1 Toilet Habit Makes You More Prone To Hemorrhoids — And You’re Probably Doing It

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This 1 ******* Habit Makes You More Prone To Hemorrhoids — And You’re Probably Doing It

If you’ve never had a hemorrhoid, you’re very lucky. If you have, you’re all too familiar with the extreme discomfort that comes from this particular digestive affliction. Characterized by pain, itching, irritation and sometimes bleeding in the ***** region (TMI, we know),

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in the ***** and lower *******. And no one wants to deal with them.

While hemorrhoids are very treatable and you should always seek medical attention if you’re dealing with one, there’s one common ******* habit that makes you more prone to them. We asked gastroenterologists about it — here’s what they had to say.

The ******* Habit That Makes You More Prone To Hemorrhoids

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Cameron Prins / Getty Images

If you enjoy settling in with a good book or scrolling TikTok when you hit the *******, we have news for you: This sacred time may be making you more prone to hemorrhoids.

“Hemorrhoids are engorged blood vessels in the lower ******* and *****. While everyone has these blood vessels, they only become symptomatic when they become enlarged or inflamed, which can occur due to several factors,” Dr. 

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, a gastroenterologist, told HuffPost. “One common cause is due to sitting on the ******* for a prolonged time. This is because when one’s bottom is in the space of the ******* seat, the blood will pool in the lowest point and cause increased pressure in the blood vessels in the *****, leading to hemorrhoids.”

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, a gastroenterologist with Memorial Hermann, added that when you’re sitting too long, gravity is working against you, leading to poor circulation.

“Sitting for a prolonged ******* can impair blood flow to and from the rectal area, leading to blood pooling in the veins and causing them to swell,” he said.

While prolonged sitting can cause hemorrhoids, too much straining during a bowel movement can, too — so this isn’t an ideal way to try to decrease your *******-sitting time.

“Trying to ‘push out’ a bowel movement also increases pressure in the anorectal blood vessels and is another common cause of hemorrhoids,” Schwarzbaum said. “I often counsel my patients that when they feel the urge to ********* to go to the *******, avoid straining, and if they cannot relieve themselves at that time, then to get up and try again at a later time when they have an urge again.”

So, what’s the ideal amount of time to sit on the *******?

“I would generally recommend trying to limit bowel movements to 10-15 minutes at most to reduce the risk of hemorrhoids,” Schwarzbaum said. “I also counsel them to avoid scrolling on phones or reading for prolonged periods on the *******. If you need a break from the rest of the world, sit on top of the ******* seat.”

Other Tips For Preventing Hemorrhoids

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Maskot via Getty Images

If you’re thinking “Wait a minute, I don’t sit on the ******* for long periods and I still get hemorrhoids,” worry not — a prolonged sitting habit isn’t the only cause of hemorrhoids.

“The best way to avoid hemorrhoids is to drink a lot of fluids, have a diet high in fiber, exercise, and avoid excessive straining during the bowel movement. This includes during pregnancy, a leading cause of hemorrhoids,” said Dr. 

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, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of

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.

Schwarzbaum echoed this, noting that preventing constipation is also key to hemorrhoid prevention.

“This starts with a healthy diet, and most importantly 25-30 grams of fiber daily and adequate hydration,” he said. “If this is not sufficient it may be necessary to use stool softeners or laxatives. Additionally, as stated earlier, avoiding prolonged periods sitting on the ******* and regular exercise has also been shown to prevent hemorrhoids.”

Shah also suggested not delaying bowel movements, if possible.

“Holding it in can make stool drier and ******* to pass,” he said. “You should also work to keep the ***** area clean to prevent irritation. Use moist wipes or water instead of dry ******* paper if necessary. When sitting on the *******, use a footstool to elevate your feet slightly. This can help achieve a more natural squatting position, making it easier to pass stool without straining.”

Hemorrhoids are no fun, and in some cases, they’re just inevitable (ask any person who’s ever been pregnant about it). But with the right lifestyle tweaks and a little less time sitting on the ******* tapping through

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stories, you may be able to make them a less frequent occurrence.

If you’re dealing with a hemorrhoid or have chronic hemorrhoids, make sure to bring it up to your doctor so they can help you get to the root cause and provide a treatment and prevention plan that’s right for you. This article originally appeared on

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