Absorbent article with an exudate management layer

An absorbent article comprising:

• a) a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction;
• b) a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline;
• c) an anterior region, a posterior region, and a central region positioned between the anterior region and the posterior region;
• d) an anterior region transverse direction end edge, a posterior region transverse direction end edge, and a pair of longitudinal direction side edges extending between and connecting the anterior region transverse direction end edge and the posterior region transverse direction end edge;
• e) a topsheet layer defining a body facing surface of the absorbent article, a liquid impermeable layer defining a garment facing surface of the absorbent article, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer;
• and
• f) a liquid permeable exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer and disposed between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core, the exudate management layer comprising a first component comprising an outer peripheral edge and an opening in the exudate management layer, the opening located inward from the outer peripheral edge and having a perimeter partially defined by an inner edge of the first component, and a second component connected to the first component via a primary fold, the primary fold defining at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening.