Is hormone replacement something that can help with severe chronic menstrual cramps?

Yes: What you describe is called "dysmenorrhea" and can be helped with oral contraceptives, or other hormonal interventions. Consult your gynecologist for care in this area.

In some cases: Heavy and painful periods may be the result of an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, often associated with a condition called estrogen dominance. In this condition, there is a relative Progesterone deficiency at the root of the imbalance, which causes these difficult menstrual symptoms. This can be treated with hormone replacement to restore and maintain balance and alleviate symptoms.