This 1 Toilet 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 anal region (TMI, we know), hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. 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 toilet habit that makes you more prone to them. We asked gastroenterologists about it — here’s what they had to say.

The Toilet Habit That Makes You More Prone To Hemorrhoids

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

“Hemorrhoids are engorged blood vessels in the lower rectum and anus. While everyone has these blood vessels, they only become symptomatic when they become enlarged or inflamed, which can occur due to several factors,” Dr. David L Schwarzbaum,a gastroenterologist, told HuffPost. “One common cause is due to sitting on the toilet for a prolonged time. This is because when one’s bottom is in the space of the toilet seat, the blood will pool in the lowest point and cause increased pressure in the blood vessels in the anus, leading to hemorrhoids.”

Dr. Prasun Shah,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 period 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