Piles is common, but honest conversation about it isn’t. So myths fill the gap: advice from a neighbour, a forwarded WhatsApp message, an uncle’s “desi nuskha.” Some myths are harmless. Others make people delay treatment for years.
Let’s look at six of the most common ones.
Myth 1: “Spicy food causes piles”
The truth: There’s no strong evidence that spicy food causes piles. What causes piles is pressure from straining, constipation and long toilet sitting (see the main causes).
Spicy food can, however, increase burning if you already have piles or a fissure. So if it bothers you, reduce it, but don’t blame mirchi for the problem itself. A low-fibre diet is a much bigger culprit. See piles me kya khana chahiye.
Myth 2: “Only old people get piles”
The truth: Piles is increasingly common in people in their 20s and 30s. Desk jobs, junk food, low water intake and phones in the bathroom are all to blame. A 2025 study in PLOS One found that people who used smartphones on the toilet had a 46% higher risk of piles. Younger people tend to use phones in the bathroom even more, so this habit matters at every age.
Myth 3: “Piles turns into cancer”
The truth: Piles does not turn into cancer. They are completely different conditions.
But here’s the important part: bowel cancer can also cause bleeding, so never assume bleeding is “just piles” without a check-up, especially after 40 or if you have weight loss or a change in bowel habits.
Myth 4: “Surgery is the only cure”
The truth: Most piles never need surgery. Early piles often settle with diet, habits and simple remedies. Even many larger piles are treated with quick clinic procedures like banding. Surgery is mainly for grade 4 or stubborn cases. Read does every case of piles need an operation?
Myth 5: “Sitting on a cold or hot surface causes piles”
The truth: This one is told in almost every Indian home, but there’s no scientific evidence for it. Sitting on a cold floor or a hot stone doesn’t cause piles. Sitting for a long time, especially on the toilet, is what matters.
Myth 6: “Once you have piles, it never goes away”
The truth: Small piles often shrink and stop causing symptoms within days to weeks once you fix constipation and toilet habits. Even after treatment, good habits keep them from coming back. They can return, but they are very manageable.
Bonus truth: everyone has “hemorrhoids”
It sounds strange, but every person has hemorrhoidal cushions as a normal part of the body. Piles is when they swell. Read what piles really is.
Why myths are harmful
Myths make people feel ashamed, try random remedies, or avoid doctors out of fear of surgery. The result? Small, easy-to-treat piles grow into bigger ones. The truth is simpler and more hopeful: piles is common, usually manageable, and nothing to be embarrassed about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does spicy food cause piles?
No strong evidence shows spicy food causes piles. It can increase burning if you already have piles or a fissure.
Can piles become cancer?
No. Piles does not turn into cancer. But bleeding can have other causes, so it should be checked by a doctor.
Can young people get piles?
Yes. Piles is increasingly common in young adults due to low-fibre diets, sitting for long hours and long toilet time.
Does sitting on a cold floor cause piles?
No. This is a popular belief, but there’s no evidence for it. Long sitting and straining are the real risks.
Can piles be cured without surgery?
Yes, most piles improve with diet, habits, medicines or small clinic procedures. Surgery is needed only in some cases.
About the author: Deepak Sagar is an Ayurvedic wellness content writer with Aarogya Jeevanam and over 6 years of experience writing on digestive health and holistic living.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Source: Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids, PLOS One (2025)
