Absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, with a stiffening element (6) which is intended to contribute to the three-dimensional shape of the article during use. The stiffening element (6) is in a plane state before use of the article and is provided with a first cutout (610) which is arranged so as to make possible pressing-together of the stiffening element in the lateral direction at a transition (12) between the front portion and the crotch portion. The shape of the stiffening element (6) and the shape of the first cutout (610) are adapted so that the stiffening element, after pressing-together and positioning on the wearer, has a width (M) at said transition (12) which is adapted to the distance between the muscle tendons of the wearer on both sided of the crotch of the wearer in the groin of the latter and which is of th eorder of 15-45 mm. The stiffening element (6) is arranged so that its side edges in the front portion (1) of the article, in said pressed-together utilization state, diverge in the direction (1) from the crotch portion (3) in over the front portion (1), and form an acute angle ( alpha ) with the longitudinal direction of the article.
