Which of the following best describes a characteristic of leiomyoma?

Leiomyomas, commonly known as uterine fibroids, are benign tumors of the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. They are often asymptomatic but can lead to various clinical manifestations depending on their size, location, and number. Abnormal uterine bleeding is the predominant symptom associated with leiomyomas, as they can disrupt normal uterine function and may cause increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual periods, or bleeding between periods. The presence of leiomyomas can alter the normal uterine architecture, leading to these bleeding abnormalities.

While dysmenorrhea, irregular uterine enlargement, and tender nodules in the cul-de-sac can be associated with other gynecological conditions or sometimes even with fibroid presence, they are not as characteristic or prominent in the clinical picture of leiomyomas. For instance, dysmenorrhea is more commonly associated with conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis rather than solely with leiomyomas. Irregular uterine enlargement can suggest other pathologies, such as malignancy or adenomyosis, and tender nodules in the cul-de-sac often indicate inflammation or endometriosis rather than benign fibroids. Thus, the best descriptor for a classic characteristic of leiomyoma is abnormal uterine bleeding.