A feminine hygiene pad having an absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure may have a plurality of central compression zones disposed in a middle region of the pad, each of the plurality of compression zones being defined by a generally longitudinally-oriented shape having a forward terminus proximate a forward end region of the pad and a rearward terminus proximate a rearward end region of the pad, and an average width between the forward terminus and rearward terminus of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, wherein each of the forward terminus and rearward terminus lies no more than 30 percent of the length of the pad, from the lateral axis.