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Medicalization refers to the process by which human conditions and experiences, previously considered normal or outside the scope of medicine, come to be defined and treated as medical problems. This involves framing social, emotional, or behavioral issues within a medical framework, often leading to the development of new diagnostic categories, treatments, and pharmaceutical interventions.

The concept of medicalization is often explored in sociology and critical theory. It suggests that as medical authority expands, aspects of life that were once managed through social, familial, or personal means can become subject to medical diagnosis and management. This can lead to increased reliance on healthcare professionals and interventions for issues that may not have biological causes or require medical solutions.

Examples of medicalization include the expansion of diagnostic criteria for certain conditions, the treatment of normal life events like menopause or aging with medical interventions, and the pathologization of behaviors that deviate from social norms. While medicalization can sometimes lead to beneficial treatments and improved health outcomes for individuals, critics argue that it can also over-medicalize life, create unnecessary patient anxiety, and generate profits for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The debate surrounding medicalization often centers on the balance between extending medical care and preserving the autonomy and naturalness of human experience.