An absorbent article includes side panels for securing around the waist of the user. The absorbent article includes a first end, a second end, and an absorbent section therebetween. The first end has longitudinal side edges and a first waist line edge. A pair of side panels extend from longitudinal side edges of said first end of the absorbent article, and are shaped and dimensioned so as extend beyond the first waist line edge of the first end of the absorbent article a longitudinal extent so that the side panels may be secured above the hip joints of the user.
