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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Sitting on the throne is a daily must. But staying there too long can also cause you some discomfort. Is there an ideal time frame that you should not exceed? Doctors answer.
There are those who briefly go to the bathroom and those who use this time to read or check their phone… for long minutes. If you belong to the second category, you will probably be interested to know the consequences of this prolonged sitting.
The Unglamorous Risks of Staying on the Throne Too Long
Taking your time in the bathroom may seem like a healthy habit (to free yourself). However, there are limits.
“Sitting on the toilet after you have finished having a bowel movement could increase the risk ofhemorrhoids and other health problems due to pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins” underlines Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
A finding also confirmed by several American specialists in SELF magazine.Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, especially when straining, is probably the main cause of hemorrhoids” says Ellie Chen, a gastroenterologist at the University of California. The risk? Overreaching.
But that’s not the only problem. Dr. Priyanka Singh, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, says there’s also a risk of rectal prolapse (when part of the rectum slips down and protrudes from the anus) when sitting for long periods of time and straining becomes a habit. It’s a hassle we could do without.
A bad position for the perineum
In January 2024, Dr. Pauline Guillouche, gastroenterologist, aka pauline.hepato on the networks, admitted to us that: “Indeed, the long position on the toilet is not good for the perineum. You should avoid being in this position for too long.”.
For her, the best position on the toilet is one with a step, which allows you to raise your knees above your hips and facilitate defecation, that is, the expulsion of stools. The specialist also recommends going to the toilet when you feel like it and not in anticipation.
5 minutes and then they go away
As for the ideal time to go to the toilet (all errands included), it would be only a few minutes.
“The amount of time spent on the toilet can vary greatly from person to person, but in general, the average time spent on the toilet is about 2 to 3 minutes for women and less than 2 minutes for men.” reveals Dr. Kierzek.However, studies show that some people spend an average of 45 minutes a day on the toilet, which can include time spent reading or browsing the internet!”
However, professionals seem to agree on a maximum time of 5 minutes. A time that can give you a reference point: “If you sit down and are unable to have a bowel movement within this time frame, stand up and try again later.” gastroenterologists note.
And if you definitely feel like you’re spending too much time (unsuccessfully) on the throne, experts recommend changing a few habits:
- Go to the toilet when you feel the need. Don’t wait until the urge arises, but don’t go for it either, on the contrary “because you have to” without needing it. This is ineffective;
- Do without your smartphoneto avoid falling into untimely scrolling;
- Treat your constipation If this is the problem, adding fiber to your menus, drinking more water and exercising.
“Finally, if you are forced to return to the toilet frequently and/or you have the urge to push without a stool or any other abnormality, consult!” concludes Dr. Kierzek.
Slide: Misconceptions about constipation