An absorbent incontinence article (2) has a main part (4) composed of a front area (6) and of a rear area (8) and, lying between these in the longitudinal direction (10), a crotch area (12) that comes to lie between the legs of a user, the main part (4) comprising an absorption body (14), and with mutually separate side portions (16) which are joined to the rear area (8) and/or to the front area (6) on both sides and which extend in the transverse direction (22) across lateral longitudinal edges (20) of the main part (4) and connect the front area (6) and the rear area (8) to each other when the article is applied. To prevent tearing of the side portions, it is proposed that the incontinence article be designed such that the side portions (16) have a reinforcing means (24) which, seen in the transverse direction (22), is designed narrower than a respective side portion (16), and which is provided at least in an area bridging the longitudinal edge (20) of the main part (4), that is to say crosses both a lateral longitudinal edge area of the main part (4) and also a part of the side portion (16) in the transverse direction (22).