Dr. Lai Xue, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, explains that sitting on a toilet for more than 10-15 minutes puts the body at a disadvantage. Gravity, essential for grounding humans, also increases the effort required to return blood to the heart. The toilet’s oval seat positions the rectum lower than a standard chair, adding strain on the pelvic floor. This strain can lead to conditions like rectal prolapse, where part of the intestine slips out of place, becoming a one-way valve. This traps blood, enlarges blood vessels, and raises haemorrhoid risks. Prolonged sitting and straining further worsen the problem.

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