An absorbent article includes at least one elastic area. The article contains an element for checking the elongation of the elastic area, in conjunction with which a first indicator marker is connected to the elastic area and a second indicator marker is connected to a second piece of material. The first indicator marker and the second indicator marker are capable of displacement relative to one another in the direction of elongation of the elastic area, whereby the change in the relative position between the first and the second indicator marker in conjunction with the elongation of the elastic area from a non-elongated position provides a measure of the elongation of the elastic area.