An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis is provided. The article has a topsheet and backsheet, together forming a chassis that is symmetrical about the transverse axis. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, with a perimeter of the chassis extending beyond the surface area of the core. The absorbent core is asymmetrical about the transverse axis. In one embodiment, less than 50% of the surface area of the absorbent article is mechanically compressed. In another embodiment, the absorbent article has an in-use flexibility of less than 170 mN, preferably less than 130 mN. In a further embodiment, the absorbent article has a stiffness measured in the core free area of less than 0.4 g*cm.
