Broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has hit out after she claimed her private medical insurers declined to fund her menopause treatment.
She suggested the refusal smacked of "sexism" and "ageism" as she spoke at an event for advertising executives.
The BBC Radio 4 presenter said she was told by her insurers that her condition was "natural" and as a result was not covered by the £400-a-month policy she has for her family.
"I have had a health insurance policy for 32 years. To discover that at the point when, for the first time in your life, you may want a little bit of help with your medical situation they point blank refuse is extraordinary," she said, according to the Daily Mail.
"For me, it was a moment of clarification in terms of ageism in society, in terms of attitudes to women in society, in terms of attitudes of companies to women. They think we are so powerless we can't respond to a situation like that."
Her insurer AXA PPP said it is looking into her case.
Frostrup, 52, had been having insomnia and anxiety problems and had been recommended to see a medical expert who specialised in treatments for the menopause.
She said she phoned the insurance company to clear it, but claimed she was told: "Sorry, but we don't cover anything to with the menopause."
According to the paper, Frostrup went on: "I would say the majority of ailments are natural. There are so many side effects of menopause, and it affects different women differently, so the insurers can use this as a blanket ban."
NHS help for menopausal problems would include hormone replacement therapy, but some women require a a tailored combination of medications which would not be covered.
Insurance firms cover treatment for illness, disease or injury, but the menopause would not necessarily come into these categories.
Frostrup said: "The woman on the phone agreed it would be better if my symptoms were a mental health issue as they could cover that. Clearly madness is more palatable to them than menopause."
A spokesman for the firm said: "We're currently investigating the matter and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further until we've completed it."
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