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Medicalization refers to the process by which human conditions and problems come to be defined and treated as medical issues, primarily through the use of biomedical knowledge and therapeutic interventions. The concept emerged prominently in the late twentieth century within sociology and the history of medicine, offering a critical lens on how social, cultural, and economic factors influence what is considered disease or normal variation.

Key theorists such as Thomas S. B. Johnston and Peter Conrad have sought to explain medicalization through various models. Johnston identifies four stages: symptom description, clinical classification, standardization of treatment, and dissemination into the wider population. Conrad, in his sociological framework, outlines six "formal" and "informal" mechanisms—prognostication, science, professionalization, pharmaceutical, commercial, and body structure—by which medicalization occurs.

Critics of medicalization argue that it can pathologize normal human experiences, expand the market for drugs and medical procedures, and divert attention from social determinants of health. Proponents claim it promotes early detection, reduces stigma, and improves quality of life for individuals with previously neglected conditions. The debate continues in contemporary discourse, especially in relation to mental health, sexuality, and lifestyle choices such as obesity or sleep disorders.

Empirical studies suggest medicalization rates rise when epidemiological data indicate high prevalence, when professional lobbying increases, and when diagnostic technology improves. Public health policymakers and clinicians are increasingly attentive to balancing benefits and potential overreach, striving for evidence-based interventions that respect both biological and contextual dimensions of human well-being.