What is the ruling on menstruation starting from the first spotting or blood flow?

The easiest way to understand this is any type of spotting, yellow, brown, discharge, anything coloured of that nature, before the menstrual cycle fully starts. So it's important to note we're talking about before the menstrual cycle starts. Let's say you have a couple of days of spotting. That couple of days would also be considered to be part of your menstrual cycle Islamically, meaning you wouldn't be praying during that time. So anything of that nature prior to the menstrual cycle, all of it is considered to be part of the menstrual cycle Islamically. And that's specific for any type of discharge or spotting prior to the start of your full menstrual cycle.