Item bonus
 

Lets say that I am female and I have an item in play that gives a bonus that is gender-depended, for example +2 for female and +4 for male. I enter a battle I can't win on my own so I ask a male co-player for help. Am I now allowed to use to +4 bonus?

Re: Item bonus
 

Since you are the player with the item equipped and your character is female you would only be able to get the bonus granted to females.

When you have a helper in combat your items are still your items so they retain the same properties with or without a helper (unless a card specifically states a different bonus "if" you have a helper).

Re: Item bonus
 

Mathgeni is correct. Merely having a male helper in the combat doesn't give you the higher bonus. (Same thing with the Horny Helmet and asking an Elf to help you, for example.)