Dr Kim has a special interest and advanced training in providing medical and surgical care for complex gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). 

Dr Kim Norton Old, smiling female healthcare professional wearing blue scrubs and a colourful printed surgical cap in a medical setting.

Dr Kim was drawn to this area of medicine as she saw how often women's symptoms were dismissed or minimised. Many women spend years living with significant period pain, heavy and irregular bleeding and other symptoms before receiving a diagnosis, only to discover too late the impact of these conditions on their fertility.

Dr Kim wanted to be part of changing that story by helping women receive answers earlier and feel empowered to make decisions about their reproductive health.

Dr Kim is also highly experienced in colposcopy and management of abnormal cervical screening tests, surgical treatment of pre-cancers of the cervix and vulval conditions. These conditions can be challenging, difficult to diagnose and for many women and clinicians, poorly understood. These are unique areas of gynaecology for which there are few specialists in Melbourne with the skills to make the right diagnosis and manage correctly. Dr Kim has trained extensively in these areas, mentored by experts in the field. She provides careful assessment and detailed education so her patients can feel confident and clear in their next steps.

Areas of expertise in the medical and surgical management of:

  • Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)

  • Endometriosis

  • Heavy/ painful periods

  • Irregular periods

  • Pelvic pain

  • Polyps

  • Ovarian cysts

  • Fibroids

  • Adenomyosis

  • Hysterectomy

  • Vulval conditions and vulvodynia 

  • Colposcopy, abnormal cervical screening tests (pap smears)

  • Treatment for cervix precancers

  • Contraception (reversible and irreversible including tubal ligation) 

  • Perimenopause, menopause

  • Miscarriage, TOP

  • Sexual health

A female healthcare professional, Dr Kim Norton-Old with a face mask, and scrubs working with medical instruments in a hospital operating room.

Surgical Gynaecological Care for Complex Conditions

Surgery is never a decision taken lightly, and for many women, arriving at that point has already taken years. Years of pain, of being told things are normal when they're not, of managing symptoms that quietly limit the life you want to live.

Dr Kim understands that. Her surgical practice exists for exactly these women — those with conditions that are real, often underdiagnosed, and deserving of expert, compassionate care.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects roughly one in nine Australian women, yet diagnosis is often delayed by years. If you've been living with debilitating period pain, pain during sex, bowel or bladder symptoms, or unexplained infertility, endometriosis may be the cause.

Dr Kim performs minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to diagnose and treat endometriosis, removing or ablating deposits to reduce pain and protect fertility where possible. She works with you to understand your priorities, whether that's pain relief, family planning, or both and tailors her approach accordingly.

Listen to Dr Kim’s podcast interview with For Healths Sake.

Listen to Dr Kim on Vain-ish Podcast

A female healthcare professional in purple scrubs preparing an ultrasound machine for a procedure in a medical setting.

Fibroids & Adenomyosis

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, painful periods, and difficulties conceiving. Adenomyosis, where the uterine lining grows into the muscle wall, often produces similar symptoms and is frequently missed.

Depending on your situation, Dr Kim may recommend myomectomy (removal of fibroids while preserving the uterus), endometrial ablation, or other targeted approaches. For women who have completed their families, hysterectomy may offer the most definitive relief. Dr Kim discusses all options openly, so the decision is always yours.

Ovarian Cysts

Most ovarian cysts resolve on their own, but some require surgical management, particularly when they're large, persistent, causing pain, or have features that need further investigation.

Dr Kim performs laparoscopic cystectomy to remove problematic cysts with precision, taking care to preserve as much healthy ovarian tissue as possible. Where a cyst's appearance raises concern, she coordinates prompt assessment and, if needed, referral or further specialist input.

Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvic pain is one of the most complex and undertreated conditions in women's health. It may stem from endometriosis, adhesions, fibroids, nerve involvement, or a combination of factors and it often goes unrecognised for far too long.

Dr Kim takes a thorough, investigative approach using laparoscopy where appropriate to identify underlying causes, and combining surgical treatment with broader pain management strategies. She knows that living with pelvic pain is exhausting, and she takes every presentation seriously. This takes a collaborative approach and often requires input from a multidisciplinary team, including a women’s health physiotherapist, chronic pain specialist, psychologist, gastroenterologist and dietician, of which Dr Kim has established professional connections to facilitate review.

Hysterectomy

When other treatments haven't provided sufficient relief for fibroids, adenomyosis, heavy bleeding, or other gynaecological conditions, hysterectomy can be genuinely life-changing.

Dr Kim performs hysterectomies using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques wherever possible, resulting in smaller incisions, shorter recovery times, and less post-operative discomfort. Open surgery is available when clinically indicated. She approaches this decision with care, ensuring you feel fully informed and confident before proceeding.

Dr Kim Norton-Old, a healthcare professional wearing blue scrubs, a colourful surgical cap, and a face mask performing a medical procedure in a hospital operating room.

Vulval Conditions

Vulval conditions, including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, vulvodynia, and other dermatological disorders, are frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed. They can cause significant discomfort, distress, and impact on quality of life and intimacy.

Dr Kim has specific expertise in this area and provides thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis, and ongoing management. Where surgical treatment is required, such as for vulval lesions or biopsy, she performs this with sensitivity and care.

Pre-Cancer of the Cervix

Dr Kim's Gynaecology Oncology Fellowship year at The Royal Hobart Hospital gives her a depth of knowledge that directly benefits patients facing a pre-cancer diagnosis or significant gynaecological concern.

She is experienced in the surgical management of gynaecological pre-cancers of the cervix and vulva and works closely with oncology teams to ensure coordinated, expert care. For women who receive an unexpected or worrying result, whether from cervical screening, imaging, or biopsy, Dr Kim provides clear guidance, prompt action, and steady support through what is often an overwhelming time.

A note on minimally invasive surgery

Wherever clinically appropriate, Dr Kim uses laparoscopic (keyhole) surgical techniques. This means less time in hospital, a faster return to daily life, reduced post-operative pain, and smaller scars. For women who have put off addressing a condition because surgery feels daunting, it's worth knowing that modern gynaecological surgery has changed significantly and Dr Kim will always explain what your procedure involves in plain, honest terms.

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Ready to talk through your options?

Dr Kim welcomes referrals.

Please ask your GP to provide you with a referral, then call our rooms for an appointment.