An absorbent pad including a chassis having a first side edge and a second side edge. The chassis includes a liquid pervious topsheet and a liquid impervious backsheet. An absorbent system is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. An elastic element is disposed along each of the first and second side edges of the chassis and attached to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet, the elastic elements generating a cupping action so that the absorbent pad is biased towards a cup-like shape. A first side adhesive element is attached to the chassis inwardly from the first side edge of the chassis. A second side adhesive element is attached to the chassis inwardly from the second side edge of the chassis. A central adhesive element is attached to the chassis between the first and second side adhesive elements. The absorbent pad has a first configuration in which the central adhesive element is releasably attached to an inner surface of an undergarment so that the absorbent pad retains its cup-like shape and a second configuration in which the first and second side adhesive elements are releasably attached to an outer surface of the undergarment to overcome the cupping action of the elastic elements.
