Experts reveal why men spend so long on the toilet

The length of time men need on the toilet has confounded women for generations — most likely since toilets behind closed doors were invented.

For many males, a trip to the bathroom is anything but an expedited endeavour.

The length of time men commonly need to do their duty has confounded the fairer sex for generations — most likely since toilets behind closed doors were invented.

In recent years, the concept has even become a running meme on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, New York Post reported.

Laugh it up all you like, ladies, experts say — a guy’s predisposition toward prolonged toilet time could help explain why men typically have better gut health than women.

“I think anyone who knows a man knows it’s true that men do spend longer in the toilet or on the toilet than women do, but in reality [they] are much less likely to have bowel issues and chronic constipation than women are,” gastroenterologist Kyle Staller told Yahoo! Life.

A guy’s predisposition toward prolonged toilet time could help explain why men typically have better gut health than women. Picture: istock

Gastrointestinal psychologist Madison Simons of the Cleveland Clinic told the outlet that the explanation could be biological — for starters, the body needs to be relaxed in order to get things moving, so to speak.

Men, it turns out, have a tendency to feel more relaxed while on the toilet than a woman would, Simons explained. That’s because they have a “binary switch” to abruptly hop between fight-or-flight instincts known as both the sympathetic state (tense) and at ease parasympathetic one (relaxed). For digestion to occur properly, a body must be in the second state.

Making the switch encourages what Simons calls “a rest and digest function.”

Experts have weighed in on the issue. Picture: iStock

With the body in relaxation mode, and the day to day for most adults relatively stressful, is it any wonder they’re in no rush to get up and leave? Men, Simons said, could just be enjoying “spending time in that relaxation state before they go back into their life again.”

“You’re not going to be asked to make food for the kids or to solve a problem at work if you are sitting in the bathroom,” she said.

Prior research has also found men are commonly more likely to read on the toilet, keeping them occupied for longer than the average five minutes most people need to conduct their business, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Another Oxford University study found that dudes typically scroll on their phones more than women, when inside the chamber of secrets.

Ultimately, said Simons, toilet time can be a great way to rest, recharge and gain focus.

“There’s this sense of safety that comes with that — you’re totally aware in the present moment that there’s only one job that you’re accomplishing.”

This story originally appeared on the New York Post and reproduced with permission

Originally published as Experts reveal why men spend so long on the toilet