Michelle Pfeiffer hates being called a cougar.

The 'Cheri' actress insists the term, often applied to a woman who romances younger men, is unfair and age shouldn't matter when it comes to love.

The 51-year-old star - who shared sex scenes with 27-year-old Rupert Friend in 'Cheri' - said: "I so hate that term cougar! It came from these novels about older women with younger men so long ago, but even today they're ahead of their time in the way we perceive women's power and sexuality."

Michelle also insists she would be reluctant to resort to cosmetic surgery to preserve her looks and is happy to age gracefully.

She explained: "I think your face should still move. And you should be recognisable to your friends. One actress I knew years ago, a really lovely person, had some stuff done, and literally, every time I run into her now I don't recognise her. Every time!"