An absorbent article having a backsheet. The backsheet has a garment facing side and a first end edge in the first end region. The absorbent article has an adhesive attachment mechanism on the garment facing side of the backsheet for securing the absorbent article to an undergarment. The adhesive attachment mechanism includes a central adhesive section on or along the longitudinal centerline and a pair of side adhesive sections, each transversely outboard of the central adhesive section. Side adhesive sections have first ends in the first end region. First ends of side adhesive sections extend substantially to the first end edge of the backsheet. First end of the central adhesive section is at least about 5 mm from the first end edge of the backsheet such that an adhesive free area is formed between the first end of the central adhesive section and the first end edge of the backsheet.